Bilateral trade between Cambodia and Japan in the first half of 2025 showed a remarkable positive trend, reaching a total of over $1.2 billion — an increase of nearly 30% compared to the same period in 2024. Japan is currently Cambodia’s fifth-largest trading partner, after China, the US, Vietnam and Thailand.
According to the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia, from January to June, total trade between Cambodia and Japan reached $1.22 billion, an increase of 28.7% compared to the $950.28 million recorded during the same period in 2024. Cambodian exports to Japan were valued at $753.55 million (up 19.9%), while imports amounted to $469.72 million (up 46.1%).
Based on these figures, in the first half of 2025, Cambodia recorded a trade surplus of approximately $283.82 million with Japan — slightly lower than the $307.08 million surplus in the first half of 2024.
Hong Vanak, an economist at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told The Post on July 24 that trade between the two countries continues to progress positively. Most Japanese imports are vehicles, advanced machinery, electronics and other high-tech consumer goods. Cambodian exports to Japan include textile products (clothing, bags, and shoes), electronic/electrical components, furniture, cosmetics and agricultural products.
He added that since Cambodia is a developing country with a growing number of factories, the volume of exports is expected to continue increasing in the future.
“Trade between the two countries will continue to grow, especially exports to the Japanese market, as both countries are members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP),” he said.
The RCEP is a free trade agreement with 15 member countries: the 10 ASEAN nations and five trade partners — China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, from January to November 2024, a total of 88 Japanese companies registered businesses in Cambodia an increase of 20.55% compared to the same period in 2023.
The ministry noted the strength of Cambodia-Japan bilateral trade cooperation. In 2024, both sides held numerous meetings and discussions. Notably, the ministry participated in trade-related talks under the theme “Carbon Credit Business and Investment Climate in Cambodia”.
“In implementation of phase one of the seventh-mandate government’s Pentagonal Strategy, the ministry has effectively fulfilled its roles and duties, achieving significant success in diversifying markets by strengthening existing markets and expanding into new ones — as well as diversifying products to ensure a wide variety of appealing Cambodian-made goods for export. The ministry has also advanced digital trade mechanisms to adapt to evolving market conditions and contribute to Cambodia’s economic and social development,” it said.
During a meeting with Prime Minister Hun Manet in November last year, Japanese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Eri Arfiya pledged to further strengthen political and trade cooperation with Cambodia, noting that the number of Japanese investors in the country continues to grow steadily.
“The partnership and cooperation, along with the trust-building between the Japanese and Cambodian governments, will not only be maintained but further strengthened and expanded,” she said.
