Prime Minister Hun Manet Wednesday held a series of high-level meetings with top executives of leading Japanese companies and institutions, reaffirming Cambodia’s commitment to deepening economic cooperation and attracting quality investments from Japan.
Mr Hun Manet held meaningful discussions with senior executives from key organizations including the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Minebea Mitsumi Inc., NTT DOCOMO GLOBAL Inc., KOUA SHOJI Co., Ltd., the Cambodia-Japan Association (JCA), and the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The discussions focused on important sectors such as infrastructure, digital economy, manufacturing, healthcare, waste management, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
In the course of high delegation talks, Mr Hun Manet welcomed Maeda Tadashi, Chairman and CEO of JBIC, who expressed JBIC’s interest in enhancing cooperation in infrastructure, energy, and clean technology. He emphasized the critical role of infrastructure in Cambodia’s socio-economic transformation and encouraged JBIC to collaborate closely with government ministries on development projects.
The premier also praised Minebea Mitsumi for its contributions to Cambodia’s economy and community, highlighting the company’s expansion plans, including a new facility expected to create more jobs. NTT DOCOMO GLOBAL’s CEO Hiroki Kuriyama expressed strong interest in Cambodia’s digital economy, particularly advanced mobile technologies such as 6G. Mr Hun Manet welcomed investment in digital infrastructure and collaboration with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.
On his part, Okumura Yusuke, President of KOUA SHOJI Co., Ltd. shared the company’s plastic waste recycling initiatives in Svay Rieng and Phnom Penh SEZ. Mr Hun Manet commended their commitment to environmental sustainability and underscored waste management as a priority sector for Cambodia.
The premier also met with Takahashi Fumiaki, President of the Cambodia-Japan Association, who outlined plans to promote Japanese investment in SMEs and agro-processing. He expressed support for exploring the establishment of a Special Economic Zone dedicated to Japanese SMEs to facilitate investment.
The following day, on May 29, Mr Hun Manet held further discussions with Jin Liqun, President of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), during which the bank expressed keen interest in supporting Cambodia’s development through cooperation in various sectors.
Speaking at the Cambodia-Japan Business Forum in Tokyo, yesterday, Mr Hun Manet said: “Cambodia is on a path to sustainable development, and Japan is a key partner on this journey. In 2024, bilateral trade exceeded $2 billion, reflecting our joint efforts and the deepening of market relations.
“Japanese investment, in particular, is marked by depth, quality, and long-term value—bringing not only infrastructure but also advanced technology and high standards that support local industries and promote sustainable growth.
“We value Japan not only as a trading partner but also as a trusted contributor to enhancing Cambodia’s competitiveness and resilience for the future.
“Japan is now firmly established as a prominent investor across many sectors in Cambodia, including automotive, electronics, and infrastructure. Confidence among Japanese investors in Cambodia continues to grow steadily.”
The forum was co-organized by the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the AEM-METI Economic and Industrial Cooperation Committee (AMEICC), and Mizuho Bank. Nearly 300 investors from 227 companies participated in this forum.
The Prime Minister also presided over the exchange of two Memoranda of Understanding yesterday: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and the Japan External Trade Organization aimed at promoting trade and enhancing business partnerships between Cambodia and Japan, in alignment with the policies of the two government and an MoU between the Council for the Development of Cambodia and the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan to establish a robust investment partnership for the future. Mr Hun Manet will be speaking at the Nikkei Future of Asia Forum in Tokyo.
Thong Mengdavid, lecturer at the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, told Khmer Times that Prime Minister Hun Manet’s visit to Japan has marked the beginning of a new era in Cambodia-Japan economic relations.
“Prime Minister Hun Manet’s visit to Japan has catalyzed a new phase in Cambodia-Japan economic relations, with increased Japanese investment poised to drive Cambodia’s economic diversification, infrastructure development, and deeper integration into regional value chains,” he said. This development supports the goals outlined in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed between the two countries in 2023.
Japan has long been one of Cambodia’s leading development partners and investors, playing a critical role in the country’s sustained and inclusive GDP growth over the past two decades.
Japanese companies are expanding beyond Cambodia’s traditional garment industry into manufacturing sectors such as electronics and automotive components, he said.
“Besides investment, Japan also supports job creation and skills development through industrialization and cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET),” Mengdavid noted.
He emphasized that enhancing tax incentives and establishing more Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are key measures Cambodia should pursue to attract additional Japanese firms.
Furthermore, boosting the supply of skilled labour through expanded TVET programs and increased collaboration with Japanese companies for internships would allow Cambodian workers to gain valuable hands-on experience.
“As of March 2025, Cambodia has sent around 20,000 workers to Japan under the Technical Intern Trainee and Specified Skilled Worker programs,” he added. Mengdavid suggested Cambodia should also negotiate for a higher quota to send more workers to Japan, particularly in high-value industries and seasonal work sectors.
Looking ahead, Cambodia is encouraged to broaden economic cooperation beyond manufacturing into emerging sectors such as renewable energy and digital technologies, especially as both countries are members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Such initiatives could help strengthen Cambodia’s regional competitiveness, facilitate smoother trade and investment flows, and reinforce economic linkages within the region.
Cambodia is making significant strides in attracting investment, thanks to proactive efforts led by Prime Minister Hun Manet. Lim Heng, Vice President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC), told Khmer Times that the Prime Minister’s direct engagement with business leaders and investors has boosted confidence in the country’s investment potential.
“Many companies and chambers of commerce representatives have met with the Prime Minister to explore investment opportunities,” Heng said, highlighting the importance of such interactions in reassuring investors and clarifying Cambodia’s business environment.
He added that the government maintains a strong partnership with the private sector through regular dialogue to address investor concerns and facilitate engagement.
Cambodia’s stable political environment, steady economic growth, and improving legal frameworks have further enhanced its appeal to investors across the region. Heng noted that the increasing interest from foreign investors reflects the positive impact of the Prime Minister’s efforts to promote Cambodia as a favorable destination for investment.
“This engagement is helping to create a more dynamic and welcoming investment climate,” Heng said.
Based on data from the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), bilateral trade reached $832.28 million from January to April 2025, rising from $641.9 million in the same period of 2024.
Cambodian exports to Japan totaled $523.49 million, marking a 19.8 percent growth, while imports from Japan increased significantly by 50.6 percent to $308.79 million.
Cambodia primarily exports garments, bags, footwear, furniture, cosmetics, paper products, office supplies, and leather goods to Japan. In return, it imports machinery, vehicles, electronics, furniture, fabrics, and plastic products from Japan.