THE ROLE OF JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY (JICA) IN ADVANCING BILATERAL COOPERATION ON ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE BETWEEN VIETNAM AND JAPAN: THE DA NHIM HYDROPOWER EXPANSION PROJECT

Abstract

This research was conducted to analyze bilateral cooperation between Japan and Vietnam in energy infrastructure cooperation on the "Da Nhim Hydropower Plant" Power Generation Expansion Project through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Lam Dong, Vietnam from 2014 to 2021. JICA is an agency of the Japanese government that plays a role in providing foreign assistance for development cooperation through financial and technical assistance in developing countries. Bilateral cooperation is an important aspect for countries in finding solutions to overcome problems such as socio-economic and environmental issues. The presence of Japan as a developed country through JICA presents a very important partnership for Vietnam, especially in investment cooperation and technology transfer to meet energy needs in Vietnam which is experiencing a very rapid industrialization transformation after its "Doi Moi" policy. This research uses a qualitative approach to explore Japan's role through JICA in bilateral cooperation with Vietnam in the energy sector. With the help of a conceptual framework, namely the theory of Pluralism and Bilateral Cooperation, it describes JICA's role in facilitating bilateral cooperation in developing renewable energy infrastructure in Vietnam.