Working Toward the Development of the Mekong Region
Cambodia
March 2009
1. Politics
Japan and Cambodia established diplomatic relations in January 1953. In 2008, in order to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the relationship, the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Embassy of Japan in Cambodia established a Joint-Committee, and designated the year 2008 as the Cambodia-Japan Friendship Year 2008.
During the year, 55 events were held as commemorative events.
This year is Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2009. A variety of exchange events between Japan and Cambodia as well as with the other countries of the Mekong region are scheduled to take place.
Japan became actively involved in the peace process of Cambodia starting from the end of the 1980s, and dispatched personnel for the first time under the International Peace Cooperation Law from 1992 to 1993. Since then, as Cambodia's largest donor country, Japan has played an active role for its reconstruction, development, and democratization by extending support for infrastructure improvement, clearing of landmines, construction of hospitals and schools, improvements of the legal system, and development of human resources.
2. Economy
(1) Trade with Japan (2007 Trade Statistics)
A. Trade Volume
Exports: Approximately 16.3 billion yen
Imports: Approximately 13.0 billion yen
B. Principal Products
Exports: Shoes, clothing, and accessories
Imports: Transportation equipment, machinery (sewing machinery, etc.)
(2) Direct Investment from Japan
Galvanized steel plants, motorbike assembly, automobile sales, etc.
(3) In June 2007, the two countries signed the Agreement between Japan and the Kingdom of Cambodia for the Liberalization, Promotion and Protection of Investment (the Japan-Cambodia Investment Agreement), which entered into force at the end of July 2008.
3. Economic Cooperation
Japan is Cambodia's largest donor country. Through fiscal 2007, Japan extended 20.602 billion yen in yen loans, 122.338 billion yen in grant aid, and 47.073 billion yen in technical cooperation to the country.
According to Japan's Country Assistance Program for Cambodia formulated in February 2002, Japan's assistance to Cambodia is intended to provide well-balanced support for both hard and soft components with special emphasis on sustainable economic growth and anti-poverty measures. The four priority areas of the program are; (1) the realization of sustainable economic growth and a stable society, (2) support for the socially vulnerable, (3) measures to respond to global issues, and (4) support to eliminate disparities among the ASEAN countries.
4. Culture
In October 1993, Japan hosted the Intergovernmental Conference on the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Site of Angkor in Tokyo. Since then, Japan has served along with France as co-chair of the International Coordinating Committee on the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Site of Angkor established by the Conference. In addition, since 1994 Japan has been engaged in restoration activities for the World Heritage site through the Japanese Government Team for Safeguarding Angkor (JSA).
Since 1994, Japan has been engaged in conservation and restoration activities for the World Heritage site through the Japanese Government Team for Safeguarding Angkor (JSA) within the framework of the UNESCO/Japan Funds-in-Trust. During the first and second phases of the project, a total of over 700 Japanese experts were dispatched to the site, where they worked with approximately 200 Cambodian staff to conserve and restore the site. The third five-year phase of the project began in 2005.
In addition, Japan, with co-chair France, holds a meeting of the International Coordinating Committee on the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Site of Angkor each year.
5. Japanese Nationals in Cambodia
828 (as of October 2007）
6. Cambodian Nationals in Japan
2,263 (as of December, 2005; Immigration Bureau statistics)
7. Bilateral Treaties/Agreements
- Japan-Cambodia Treaty of Amity (signed 1955; came into force 1956)
- Japan-Cambodia Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation (signed and came into force 1959)
- Agreement between Japan and the Kingdom of Cambodia for the Liberalization, Promotion and Protection of Investment (signed June 2007; came into force July 2008)
Back to Index