Japan and Vietnam explore new consular cooperation pact

Japanese and Vietnamese officials are examining a new agreement that would enable mutual sharing of information regarding nationals arrested or detained in each country. The plan is intended to bolster deterrence in light of a rise in crimes committed by Vietnamese citizens in Japan.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Vietnam's General Secretary To Lam are set to discuss the pact during their meeting next week. The Vietnamese leader will visit Japan for four days starting on Sunday.

Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, reporting the arrest or detention of a foreigner to their home country typically requires the individual's consent. The proposed pact would allow such reporting without the individual's consent, according to Japanese government sources.

A Japanese official noted that swift reporting of arrests or detentions would serve as a significant deterrent, given Vietnam's strong public security authorities. Details on the types of incidents covered by the pact will be finalized later, with implementation expected to take at least two to three years.

In 2025, Japanese police took action against 10,773 cases involving Vietnamese nationals, excluding permanent residents, marking an 11% increase from the previous year. These cases accounted for over 40% of all foreign-related incidents.

Japan has previously signed similar consular reporting agreements with the United States, Britain, China, and the former Soviet Union. The Japan-Soviet treaty allows for consular access within three days of arrest and meetings with consuls within four days.