The Japanese government has reaffirmed its commitment to bolstering development cooperation and partnerships with Cambodia, according to a recent press release from the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC).
The announcement came during a meeting between CDC second vice-president Chhieng Yanara and Japanese ambassador to Cambodia Atsushi Ueno.
Yanara and Ueno discussed the 14th Policy Dialogue between the countries, emphasising the importance of continued bilateral relations.
Prime Minister Hun Manet, who took office on August 22, received congratulatory messages from various global leaders, including Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
“Our nations have built strong relations through years of cooperation for peace, reconstruction and development. I look forward to boosting bilateral ties and welcoming [Manet] at the ASEAN-Japan Special Summit in December,” Kishida said in his letter.
Kin Phea, director of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, noted that bilateral ties between the two nations have historically been robust, built on mutual respect for independence, sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.
“Japan’s diplomatic approach has positively influenced its relations with our country and other southeast Asian nations. It also serves as a crucial intermediary in facilitating Cambodia-US relations,” he added.
He believes that Japan’s renewed commitment is a mutually beneficial move.
“Japan aims to balance its relationships in Southeast Asia, as the ASEAN region is increasingly important to its geopolitical strategy,” Phea said.
The Japanese ambassador also inquired about Cambodia’s draft strategy on development cooperation and partnership for 2024-28. In response, Yanara expressed gratitude to Japan for its ongoing support and provided a brief overview of the preliminary plan, which is set for multilateral consultations on September 4.
