(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet received a courtesy call by Nagashima Akihisa, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister and Member of the House of Representatives of Japan, on 1 July 2025 at the Peace Palace.

During the meeting, Nagashima Akihisa expressed his deep gratitude to Samdech Thipadei for the warm welcome and allow him and his delegation to pay a courtesy call. He conveyed his appreciation and high regard for the deepening cooperation between Japan and Cambodia across key sectors.

Regarding defence and security cooperation, he expressed satisfaction, particularly with the collaboration between the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force and the Royal Cambodian Army, through ongoing support in training and capacity building. He also thanked the Royal Government of Cambodia for welcoming the visit of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force vessel to the Ream Naval Base, which contributes to exploring opportunities for strengthening and expanding future cooperation between the two naval forces.

On economic cooperation, the Japanese representative welcomed the Cambodia-Japan Economic Co-Creation Package, describing it as a new milestone in attracting more Japanese investors to Cambodia. On trilateral cooperation in humanitarian mine clearance training, Japan will continue its collaboration with Cambodia to assist Ukraine and other countries. He reiterated Japan's commitment to further strengthening and expanding Cambodia-Japan relations in line with their comprehensive strategic partnership.

In response, Samdech Thipadei warmly welcomed Nagashima Akihisa and delegation for their visit to Cambodia. The premier expressed gratitude to the Japanese government and people for their crucial role in supporting Cambodia’s peace-building and socio-economic development efforts.

The premier praised the progress of bilateral cooperation in the fields of defence and security and thanked Japan for its ongoing support in training and capacity building for Cambodian forces. Samdech Thipadei also expressed strong appreciation for the launch of the new Cambodia-Japan cooperation framework focusing on three key pillars, stressing that Cambodian ministries and institutions are fully prepared to coordinate and work with the Japanese side to effectively implement the new mechanism.

On the occasion, Samdech Thipadei also thanked Japan for its support of Cambodia’s demining efforts and affirmed Cambodia’s continued backing of Japan’s initiative in humanitarian mine-clearance. He noted that Cambodia remains committed to contributing to the international community by deploying peacekeeping forces under the United Nations, particularly focused on demining and peacekeeping that Cambodia, once a recipient of UN peacekeepers, now plays an active contributor role.
=FRESH NEWS