Reasons for Choosing Yokohama as a Base

Our company is a system development firm headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. As the representative, having lived in Japan for many years and gaining extensive experience doing business with Japanese companies, I have always felt a strong connection to the Japanese market. Extending on that foundation, expanding our business into Japan felt like a natural step.

There are several factors behind selecting Kanagawa Prefecture as our base. First is the presence of existing personal connections. Second is the comfortable environment for both living and business. Third is the substantial support system offered by Kanagawa Prefecture. Regarding the expansion, I was introduced to prefectural administrative staff by JETRO and received a wide range of support, including office rent subsidies, assistance with incorporation and visa expenses, and introductions to legal and administrative specialists. The office rental support within the Industrial Trade Center Building was particularly helpful, allowing us to launch our business smoothly. Additionally, participating in the "Kanagawa Festival Economic Program" held by Kanagawa Prefecture in Vietnam and connecting with JETRO staff in advance were major factors encouraging our expansion into Kanagawa.

IT Talent Demand in the Japanese Market and the Strengths of Vietnamese Talent

I believe a major challenge in the Japanese market is a labor shortage, particularly in the IT field. Japanese companies have a constant demand for IT services, such as updating existing systems and adding new functions, and the need for talent will undoubtedly increase in the future.

Our company handles web services, including business management systems and reservation/membership systems, while addressing a wide range of DX areas. Furthermore, we are actively working on automation incorporating AI to respond to requests for operational efficiency. Vietnamese engineers are young and characterized by their speed in mastering new technologies. This abundance of talent, possessing both flexibility and high learning agility, is a significant strength in the Japanese market where DX promotion is accelerating. I believe that by complementing each other (Japan with its solid technical foundation and Vietnamese talent with new ideas and speed), we can achieve system development that delivers both quality and speed.

(Note) Photographed at the headquarters in Vietnam

Building a Foundation in the Japanese Market, Starting with a Sales Team Stationed in Japan

Our primary focus is building a foundation in the Japanese market. To achieve this, we have stationed a sales team in Japan to concentrate on understanding customer needs and acquiring projects. Currently, it is a small team of three, but we plan to expand it in stages.

While the main development force will remain in Vietnam, the sales team in Japan communicates closely with customers, ensuring a seamless process from requirement definition to implementation and operation. In the future, we envision placing a development team in Japan alongside sales, and we are considering hiring Japanese staff. Through this "Japan-Vietnam hybrid model," our goal is to build a flexible structure that adapts to customer needs while maximizing our mutual strengths.

Co-creation with the Region and Future Prospects

We worked with Japanese companies while in Vietnam, but since establishing a base in Japan, opportunities to coordinate directly with customers have increased. Currently, collaboration with local companies is central, but we aim to expand connections with local governments and universities, fostering co-creation across industry, government, and academia.

Since our company offers a wide range of DX services, such as business management systems and reservation/membership systems, and works on automation using AI, our policy is to clearly demonstrate these technical strengths. We want customers to truly understand our value and choose us as their partner. Based in Kanagawa, we will build a new development model fusing Japanese and Vietnamese talent and technology. Alongside contributing to local society, we aim to pioneer Japan's next-generation DX. That is the vision our company strives for.

Business Attraction Initiative: “Select Kanagawa NEXT”

Kanagawa Prefecture is working to revitalize the local economy and create jobs through its business attraction initiative, “Select Kanagawa NEXT.” This program not only attracts companies from outside the prefecture and abroad, but also promotes reinvestment by companies already based in Kanagawa. The prefecture’s business location promotion subsidies can be combined with municipal subsidies for corporate locations within the prefecture. For more details, please refer to the following Kanagawa Prefecture website.
Introduction to “Select Kanagawa NEXT”