In terms of the economy and signature sectors, Nagano is one of Japan's representative high-tech industrial and smart agriculture hubs, with a population of approximately 2 million and a gross regional domestic product (GRDP) of approximately USD 64 billion. The prefecture is dubbed the "Switzerland of Japan" thanks to its outstanding capabilities in heavy machinery manufacturing, electronic component production, precision engineering, optical equipment, and semiconductor microcircuits. Alongside its industrial foundation, Nagano is globally renowned for high-tech agriculture utilizing advanced automation and stands as one of the nation's premier eco-tourism and winter resort hubs.
Leaders of Ho Chi Minh City and Nagano Prefecture take a commemorative photo. - Photo: Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspaper
Over the past decade, the outstanding cooperative achievements between the two localities have been highly substantive and deep. In economics and investment, the Nagano Prefectural Government has consistently and actively organized major business delegations to survey and expand markets in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing valuable FDI flows into the manufacturing and electronics sectors. Notably, the high-tech sector recorded a specialized cooperative agreement to develop the semiconductor microcircuit industry between both sides, marking a turning point in the digital value chain. On the education and human resources front, the two-way corridor has been vibrant, with leading universities in Ho Chi Minh City, notably HUTECH, partnering closely with Nagano enterprises to send thousands of students and IT engineers for paid internships and long-term career placement, contributing to the development of a high-quality digital workforce for both nations.
Looking toward the future, particularly within the framework of the Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue in 2026 (FD 2026), the City is widening its corridors to attract direct investment (FDI) and foster strategic alliances with partners from Nagano Prefecture in five key sectors:
1. Manufacturing and Precision Machinery: Attracting investment in component manufacturing, transferring advanced automation engineering, and developing premium supporting components.
2. Microcircuits and Semiconductor Devices: Collaborating on engineering design solution transfers, establishing joint research laboratories, and integrating semiconductor microcircuit production supply chains.
3. Human Resource Training and Exchange: Continuing to expand technical intern training programs, expert exchanges, and training for core technology engineers to meet international standards.
4. Smart Agriculture and Digital Farming: Transferring smart greenhouse technologies, crop cultivation automation, and biotechnology applications in premium clean agricultural product processing.
5. Eco-Tourism Economy Promotion: Cooperating in the exchange of sustainable resort tourism management solutions, nature conservation, and boosting two-way destination promotion.