Vietnam and Japan Deepen Collaboration to Combat Intellectual Property Violations and Counterfeiting

Vietnam and Japan are bolstering their cooperation on intellectual property protection, anti-counterfeiting measures, and consumer rights enforcement amid rising complexities in both traditional and online markets. On June 20, the Agency for Domestic Market Surveillance and Development under Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade convened a working session with the Japan Patent Office (JPO) to evaluate ongoing collaborative programs targeting IP enforcement and counterfeit goods suppression.

The session reviewed the implementation of a 2021 memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the JPO and Vietnam’s former General Department of Market Surveillance, now the Agency for Domestic Market Surveillance and Development. Additionally, progress was assessed on a December 20, 2024 MoU involving the Vietnamese agency and Japan’s International Intellectual Property Protection Forum (IIPPF), as well as a March 5, 2026 agreement among the agency, IIPPF, and e-commerce platforms operating in Vietnam.

Director Tran Huu Linh highlighted the Vietnamese Government’s comprehensive measures to reinforce intellectual property rights protection. Following directives from the Prime Minister, market surveillance authorities launched a nationwide crackdown on IP violations, uncovering and addressing thousands of cases within just over a month. This enforcement campaign is set to continue through the end of 2026, complemented by policy and mechanism improvements aimed at preventing counterfeit and infringing products from entering the market.

A central theme of the discussions was the operationalization of cooperation agreements involving the agency, IIPPF, and major e-commerce platforms. Given the increasing sophistication of IP infringements in digital marketplaces, both parties stressed the importance of establishing direct coordination mechanisms among regulators, rights holders, and online platforms.

Within this framework, a notice-and-takedown mechanism for suspected IP-violating products was identified as a critical tool to enable swift and effective enforcement. Director Linh reported that over the past two months, e-commerce platforms, responding to requests from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, removed thousands of suspected infringing products and took action against approximately 2,000 violating seller accounts, including those linked to Japanese brands.

Beyond online enforcement, inspections uncovered numerous cases involving counterfeit goods and IP infringements affecting prominent Japanese brands such as Honda, Yamaha, and Panasonic, along with various components, spare parts, and consumer products. These findings underscore the strong market presence and popularity of Japanese brands in Vietnam and highlight the necessity for closer collaboration between enforcement agencies and the business community to foster a transparent and healthy commercial environment.

JPO Commissioner Kasai Yasuyuki praised the effective cooperation between Vietnamese authorities and Japanese enterprises in protecting intellectual property rights. He commended the Vietnamese Government and market surveillance forces for their vigorous nationwide enforcement campaign, noting that the high volume of detected and addressed violations reflects Vietnam’s firm commitment to cultivating a transparent, safe, and IP-respecting business climate.

Commissioner Kasai expressed his desire to receive regular updates on enforcement outcomes to share with Japanese businesses and international partners. He also proposed organizing joint activities in early 2027 to promote the Vietnam–Japan cooperation model in combating counterfeit goods and protecting IP rights.

Director Linh affirmed that enhanced collaboration with the JPO and the Japanese business community would not only safeguard the intellectual property rights of Japanese brands in Vietnam but also contribute to building a healthier business environment, protecting consumers, boosting business competitiveness, and strengthening the credibility of the Vietnamese market amid ongoing international integration.

Both parties agreed to continue advancing cooperation under existing agreements, intensify information exchange, enhance enforcement capabilities, and develop new initiatives to improve the fight against counterfeit goods and intellectual property infringements in the coming years.