JICA Senior Advisor Shintarou Nakamura leads a thematic discussion on “Challenges of an Aging Population and Japan’s Experience in Addressing Them” at DAV

On the morning of October 16, 2026, in the Berlin Room, the Faculty of International Politics and Diplomacy (FIPAD), Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam (DAV), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), hosted a talk titled “Challenges of an Aging Population and Japan’s Experience in Addressing Them,” as part of the JICA Chair program. The speaker was Mr. Nakamura Shintarou, a Senior Advisor on Social Security at JICA.

The event was attended by Dr. Nguyen Thi Thin, Vice President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, who presided over the session; faculty members from the FIPAD and the Japanese Studies program; and a large number of students from related fields. Representing JICA Vietnam were Ms. Nishimura Emiko, Deputy Chief Representative, along with other JICA staff members.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thin highlighted the positive cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Japan and expressed high appreciation for the partnership between the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and JICA Vietnam. She noted that the topic of the presentation is of practical significance to Vietnam, given the country’s rapid population aging—a trend that underscores the need to study and draw upon international experience.

During his presentation, Mr. Nakamura Shintarou analyzed the state of population aging and the challenges it poses for Japan. He also introduced various policies and initiatives implemented by Japan to address this process, offering a practical perspective on a socio-economic issue of concern to many nations.

A key message emphasized by the speaker is the need for nations to prepare well in advance for an aging population. Drawing on Japan’s experience, the discussion suggests that Vietnam should proactively evaluate policies and implementation frameworks—rather than waiting until the challenges become urgent.

During the Q&A session, students majoring in Japanese Studies engaged directly with the speaker. This interaction allowed them to clarify points from the presentation, hone their international communication skills, and connect their knowledge of Japan to development issues in Vietnam.

The talk provided practical insights into population aging and Japan’s policy experiences for the faculty and students of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. The program also supports academic training and research in Japanese studies, while strengthening academic cooperation between the Academy and JICA Vietnam.

Some photos from the event: