Japan-Cambodia Relations

Minister Kamikawa stated that areas of collaboration for Japan and Cambodia are steadily expanding after many years of cooperation. Regarding to the future bilateral cooperation, she expressed her desire to collaborate for strengthening of Cambodia’s sustainability and further co-creation of social value, focusing on human resource development and the use of Japanese technology.

In response, Prime Minister Hun Manet welcomed Minister Kamikawa's visit, appreciated the long-standing support from Japan and Japanese people, and stated that he would like to advance cooperation between the two countries under the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”

Also, in response to Minister Kamikawa's welcome to the recent appointment of Reserve Judge Motoro Noguchi to the Supreme Court Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed his hope that the Judge would play an active role.

　
1. Minister Kamikawa expressed her desire to advance cooperation in the water and digital technology fields, which are Japan’s strengths, to support Cambodia’s focus areas in sustainability and development of a digital economic society. She stated that, in the digital technology field, she would like to proceed with the Co-Creation for Common Agenda Initiative. She also expressed her desire to utilize Japan's expertise and cooperate with Cambodia to develop a core communication infrastructure, including 5G capabilities, and to continue cooperating with Cambodia to strengthen cyber security.

   In response, Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that the Japanese water-related support is important for the health of Cambodian people and that the Cambodian government places importance on the development of a digital economic society and would like to promote cooperation with Japan.

2. Minister Kamikawa expressed her willingness to advance cooperation to develop Sihanoukville Port as a hub port and logistics base in the region. She stated that she would like to cooperate with Cambodia in attracting investment from Japanese companies and announced that the Government of Japan has decided to provide an ODA loan of 8 billion yen for the Phnom Penh City Transmission and Distribution System Expansion Project to improve the investment environment.

   In response, Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that the Government of Cambodia also emphasizes the development of Sihanoukville Port as a hub port and logistics base in the region. He expressed his wish to continue to collaborate with Japan.

3. In the security field, Minister Kamikawa stated that she would like to cooperate with Cambodia including through port calls to Ream base by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

   In response, Prime Minister Hun Manet welcomed the progress of security cooperation between Japan and Cambodia and stated that he shared the view with Minister Kamikawa and that Cambodia attaches importance to maritime cooperation. He also expressed his willingness to strengthen cooperation and collaboration with Japan.

4. Minister Kamikawa welcomed the progress of third-party assistance in humanitarian mine action based on the long-standing Japanese-Cambodian collaboration. Minister Kamikawa expressed her desire to cooperate with Cambodia to promote third-party assistance, develop demining technology, and raise awareness in the international community.

   In response, Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed his gratitude for Japan's support in humanitarian mine action in Cambodia. He also stated that he would support Minister Kamikawa’s initiative and that he would like to further collaborate with Japan in this field in third countries such as Ukraine.

5. Both sides also discussed democratic development of Cambodia.

Minister Kamikawa and Prime Minister Hun Manet held an exchange of views on various issues in the regional and international communities, including the situation in the East and South China Seas and the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine. Both sides concurred to cooperate on international affairs, including on Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, North Korea, and the situation in Myanmar.