Japan-Cambodia Relations
Meeting between Mrs. ISHIBA Yoshiko, Spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan and H.E. Dr. PICH Chanmony, Spouse of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia
June 2, 2025
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
On May 30, Mrs. ISHIBA Yoshiko, Spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan, welcomed H.E. Dr. PICH Chanmony Hun Manet, Spouse of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and her delegation, who are paying an official working visit to Japan, and they had a Zazen (seated meditation) experience at a temple in Tokyo followed by a meeting. The Zazen experience and the meeting was joined by Mrs. KHENG Samvada, Spouse of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and Mrs. KENG Chansopheak, Spouse of the Minister of Mines and Energy of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
The overview of the program is as follows.
- Mrs. Ishiba and H.E.Dr. Pich Chanmony visited Zensho-an Temple in Tokyo. They received an explanation from the chief priest of the temple about the Buddhism in Japan and the culture of Zen, and experienced Zazen for 30 minutes.
- In the subsequent meeting, Mrs. Ishiba welcomed H.E.Dr. Pich Chanmony's visit to Japan and rejoiced that their hearts had become closer through the Zazen experience. Mrs. Ishiba then expressed her hope that the visit of Prime Minister Hun Manet and H.E.Dr. Pich Chanmony will further promote the friendly relations between the two countries. Mrs. Pich Chanmony expressed her gratitude for the warm hospitality extended, including the Zazen experience, and stated that she believes that the relationship between the two countries will continue to grow stronger by deepening mutual understanding of each other’s cultures and that she would like to continue to work for the advancement of the friendly relations between the two countries. She also expressed her expectation for Mrs. Ishiba’s visit to Cambodia.
- They also discussed various topics, including the cultural commonalities between the two countries and the importance of activities in the field of public health and social education.