I am delighted to be able to celebrate the birthday, on February 23, of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and thus Japan’s National Day, with the people of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Last year, we were able to maintain the momentum generated by the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Cambodia in 2023, and continued with high-level exchanges between our two countries to further strengthen our cooperation.
For example, during the Japanese Foreign Minister’s visit to Cambodia last July, the Japanese government announced “three new cooperation approaches”, namely, social infrastructure development, maritime connectivity, and humanitarian mine action. The Royal Cambodian government agreed to work with us in these areas for strengthening Cambodia’s sustainability and for co-creation of social values. The Cambodian side announced its decision to become an official member of the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD), a regional conference framework initiated by Japan in 2013. Japan highly welcomed this decision. As such the two sides had deepen the cooperation.
In August, Japanese Minister of Defense paid a first, and very meaningful, bilateral visit to Cambodia, and agreed to strengthen defense cooperation and exchanges between the defense authorities. Furthermore, H.E. Ms. ERI Arfiya, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended the 5th Review Conference of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention), which was hosted by the Royal Cambodian Government in Siem Reap in November. H.E. Ms. ERI also co-hosted a side event with CMAC on that occasion. Japan will be the chair of the Ottawa Convention States Parties this year after Cambodia. Therefore Japan intends to cooperate seamlessly with Cambodia and promote triangular cooperation through joint initiatives such as the provision of capacity-building to third party countries including Ukraine.
High-level exchanges have also continued, with our National Security Advisor visiting Cambodia in December 2024, and our Minister of Finance visiting Cambodia this January. Earlier this month, H.E. Mr. VONGSEY Vissoth, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, visited Japan.
As the international situation becomes increasingly complex and turbulent, it is encouraging that Japan and Cambodia have the strong bonds of trust and friendship. Japan will continue to work hand-in-hand with Cambodia, under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, to address common challenges in the region and in the international community.
Economic relations have also developed in this one year. I was very pleased to witness two symbolic events: the inauguration of the Toyota assemble factory in May, and the ground-breaking of the second Minebea-Mitsumi plant in Pursat Province in September. Many other Japanese companies have also newly started or expanded their businesses, and took on challenges in new fields. I will do my utmost as Ambassador to maintain this momentum and promote investment in both ways.
This year, “Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan” will be held from April 13th to October 13th, under the theme of “Designing a Future Society for Our Lives”. Cambodia will have an exhibition pavilion at the expo and, hopefully, people from all over the world will visit the pavilion, be captivated by the charms of Cambodia and will, subsequently, visit Cambodia.
A strong Japanese and Cambodian partnership cannot be built only by governments. People-to-people exchanges and trust at all levels are essential. I hope that we can accelerate our cooperation through academic, cultural exchanges, tourism, or employment opportunities.
The Japanese government and our Embassy will put more effort for public communication. It will be our pleasure if more Cambodian people are interested in Japan, in any aspects.
Finally on this occasion, I would like to express my heartfelt wishes for the good health, happiness and prosperity of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, Her Majesty the Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk of Cambodia, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and the people of Cambodia and Japan. I also sincerely hope for the deepening of the mutual friendship between Japan and Cambodia.
