Japanese apparel maker Matsuoka Corp plans to produce protective clothing by investing $28 million in its Vietnam manufacturing unit Anbam Matsuoka Garment Co. This move came after the Japanese government pledged to assist the apparel maker to diversify its supply chains and lessen its dependence on China amid the Coronavirus crisis.

Matsuoka is one of 30 firms supported by the Japanese government to move factories out of China and set them up in Southeast Asian markets like Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand and Laos. According to an official list from Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro), 15 out of 30 Japanese firms including Matsuoka Corp. have registered to move to Vietnam.

Matsuoka established its Annam Matsuoka Garment Co in the central province of Nghe last November as part of an ongoing campaign to produce apparel products mainly in Southeast Asian countries.