Abstract: Since the second Abe cabinet, Japan and Vietnam have conducted defense cooperation in many aspects, such as highlevel military visits, security cooperation in many fields, and Japan maritime selfdefense force visiting Cam Ranh Bay. JapanVietnam defense cooperation is in line with Vietnams “comprehensive diplomacy” diplomatic policy and Japans IndoPacific strategy. The motives of JapanVietnam defense cooperation are mainly geostrategic motives (the common interests of Japan and Vietnam, and the needs of the IndoPacific strategy ) and economic motives. However, due to the huge differences in ideology and the huge pressure of public opinion inside and outside Japan, the prospects for defense cooperation between the two countries are uncertain.

Key words: Vietnam, Japan, defense cooperation, security policy