Phnom Penh (FN), Mar. 17 – Nearly three decades of war in Cambodia, from the late 1970s to the late 1990s, left millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance scattered across the country. Over the years, Cambodia, with the support of friendly nations and international organisations, has remained strongly committed to clearing these hazards, transforming mined land into safe areas where people can live and cultivate crops.
Since 1992, Cambodia has successfully destroyed over one million anti-personnel mines and three million explosive remnants of war (ERW). More than 3,000 square kilometers of land have been cleared, making 15 out of Cambodia’s 25 provinces mine-free. As a result, the number of landmine-related casualties has dropped significantly, from an average of over 4,300 per year in 1996 to fewer than 100 per year over the past decade.
Among Cambodia’s strongest supporters, Japan has played a key role in its demining efforts since 1992. The Japanese government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has consistently provided materials, equipment, and technical expertise to aid Cambodia’s mine clearance operations.
During his recent trip to Japan in early March 2025, Vann Saray, Deputy Director General of Fresh News, visited JICA headquarters in Tokyo. There, he met with Komukai Eri, Senior Advisor for Peacebuilding at JICA, who previously worked as a Program Officer at JICA’s Cambodia Office in 2000 and 2001, collaborating directly with the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC).
During their discussion, Komukai Eri reaffirmed Japan’s long-standing support for Cambodia’s demining mission. She underlined that Japan’s contributions include not only mine detection and disposal equipment but also planning and data management for cleared sites.
Komukai Eri underscored, “Well, Government of Japan including JICA have been supporting and assisting infrastructure in Cambodia. Then, my action in key sector, key sector to promote infrastructure Because if landmines are there, farmers cannot go back there. And if landmines are there, infrastructure will not be able to be built up. So we thought my action is very much key to push the construction development of Cambodia ahead.”
Komukai Eri expressed JICA’s satisfaction with the progress made through its partnership with CMAC.
For Komukai Eri, the collaboration between JICA and CMAC has not only contributed to mine clearance efforts in Cambodia but has also established Cambodia as a key partner in demining operations worldwide. Through this strong partnership, CMAC and JICA have extended their mine clearance expertise to Colombia, Laos, and several African nations.
She further underscored, "The progress Cambodia has made in mine clearance has exceeded expectations. Due to Cambodia’s well-developed capacity in this field, we are very proud to collaborate with CMAC. We are extremely pleased with the results of our cooperation, and we are committed to continuing this partnership into the future."
Komukai Eri also underlined the importance of the CMAC-JICA partnership in advancing global mine clearance efforts. She noted that JICA contributes Japanese expertise and advanced technology, while CMAC, with over 30 years of experience, provides specialised techniques and field knowledge. This combination, she emphasised, enhances credibility and effectiveness in demining operations worldwide.
She further stressed that CMAC is not only a national asset for Cambodia but also a valuable international resource.
Additionally, she highlighted the urgent need for continued efforts in landmine clearance in Cambodia and other affected countries, calling for active participation from the Cambodian government and the global community to ensure safer environments for future generations.
=FRESH NEWS
