FPT and Kanagawa Prefecture discuss workforce development

On the evening of November 16, at FPT Tower, FPT/FSOFT leaders held a meeting with Kanagawa Governor Kuroiwa Yuji and his delegation. The discussions focused on two main topics: identifying space to establish an office complex, research center, and housing for FPT Japan employees, as well as expanding collaboration with universities in Kanagawa to train IT professionals proficient in Japanese.

FPT/FSOFT delegation included FPT Vice Chairman Bui Quang Ngoc, FSOFT Chairwoman Chu Thi Thanh Ha, FSOFT VP cum FJP EVP Nguyen Viet Vuong, and FCJ Vice Director Onouchi Takahiro.

The meeting began with an overview of FPT’s operations in Japan. With 19 years of presence in the country, FPT Japan now boasts a workforce of nearly 4,000 employees representing 28 nationalities, operating 18 offices across various prefectures. To date, the company has collaborated with over 400 major clients, and its 2024 revenue is expected to reach approximately $500 million, equivalent to 69.9 billion yen. FPT Vice Chairman Bui Quang Ngoc emphasized, “These achievements have been possible thanks to the support of the Japanese government and local leaders, including those from Kanagawa”.

Highlighting workforce development goals, FSOFT Chairwoman Chu Thi Thanh Ha proposed two key initiatives:

Strengthening educational partnerships: FPT University aims to deepen relationships with Japanese universities to encourage Vietnamese IT students to study in Japan. According to Chairwoman Ha, this would enable students to improve their Japanese language skills, gain insights into local culture and work environments, and confidently enter the Japanese job market. “If this collaboration succeeds, it will serve as a launchpad not only for Vietnamese students but also for the growth of an international workforce in Japan,” Ha asserted.

Building an office and research complex: FPT/FSOFT proposed that Governor Kuroiwa and the Kanagawa delegation assist in locating a 10-20-hectare plot with convenient transportation links for establishing an office complex, research center, and housing for employees. Chairwoman Ha explained, “As the largest Vietnamese enterprise in Japan, we aspire to have a sufficiently large space to host clients and support our strategy to grow to 10,000 employees in the future”.

Governor Kuroiwa Yuji expressed interest in FPT/FSOFT’s proposals and showed a willingness to connect Kanagawa universities with FPT University. Additionally, the province will prioritize identifying suitable land for FPT’s plans.

The Governor also showed interest in learning about FPT’s technological capabilities, particularly in robotics. Responding to this, FSOFT Vice President and FPT Japan Executive Vice President Nguyen Viet Vuong, along with FCJ Deputy General Director Onouchi Takahiro, provided detailed insights into FPT’s technological expertise and its “people-centric development philosophy.”

The meeting at FPT Tower coincided with the Kanagawa delegation’s visit to Hanoi for the Kanagawa Festival. Earlier, Governor Kuroiwa Yuji had met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on November 15.

Previously, FPT Vice Chairman Bui Quang Ngoc met Governor Kuroiwa on July 13, 2018, during the inauguration of FPT’s office in Yokohama. FSOFT Chairwoman Chu Thi Thanh Ha also met the Governor on June 6, 2022, amid Japan’s peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kanagawa is one of Japan’s major economic hubs, known for its heavy industries, commerce, services, high-tech agriculture, and healthcare. The province currently has nearly 40 Vietnamese enterprises and approximately 30,000 Vietnamese residents who live, study, and work there.

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