GRIPS conducted a ten-day training program for nineteen Local Leaders of Vietnamese Government from April 14 to 23, 2025.?
The core topics were Japanese Local Government System, Personnel System of Government Employees, Administrative Reform, Leadership which are the crucial issues for Vietnamese officials.



During the program, participants attended lectures given by: the program director, Vice-President Prof. Hirofumi Takada (Director of the Executive Development Center for Global Leadership), GRIPS faculty members of Prof. Emeritus Kiyotaka Yokomichi, Prof. Kazuaki Takahashi and Prof. Kunihiko Shinoda, as well as President Masakatsu Okamoto from Japan Academy for Municipal Personnel and Associate Prof. Ayano Hirose from Rikkyo University.

Participants studied a wide range of subjects mainly covering Japan’s practical experiences such as; Japanese Local Government System , Decentralization of Power in Japan, Demographic Issues, Japanese Local Public Finance System, Personnel System and Personnel Evaluation of Japanese National and Local Government Officials, Administrative Reform and Fair Administration, Global warming and decarbonization, International stability and international cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, as well as leadership. After each session, there was a time for Q & A and discussion, and the Vietnamese participants actively exchanged their opinions and comments. Currently, Vietnam is undergoing significant administrative reforms, and the participants showed particular interest in the topic of administrative reform in Japan. In addition to the lectures, participants visited the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC). Senior Planning Officer Masataka Ishikiriyama from Regional DX Promotion Office gave a presentation on Current Status of Local Government DX in Japan and MIC's Initiatives.

The delegation went on a three-day field trip to Tochigi Prefecture.?
At Tochigi prefectural Government, participants were briefed on the Personnel System and Budget System in Local Government. At Utsunomiya City Hall, they have learnt some cases of Digitalization of Local Government and next-generation Light Rail Transit (LRT) system. After sessions, they took a ride on the LRT with city officers and learnt more in detail. They also visited Hizatsuki Confectionery Co., Ltd., where they had an opportunity to dialogue with employees from Vietnam. They also visited WAKAYAMA FARM Inc. “Wakatake no Mori” and Nikko Toshogu Shrine. The participants were warmly welcomed by people of Tochigi and had excellent opportunities to learn about Japan at a variety of sites.













On the final day of the training program, on behalf of the participants, the leader gave a speech on the content of the intensive ten-day program and presented how they would reflect lessons learned in their work after returning home.



※This program was organized with the support of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the joint statement of deepening the Japan-Viet Nam extensive strategic partnership.