AKP Phnom Penh, February 05, 2025 —

H.E. Vongsey Vissoth, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers of Cambodia, met with H.E. Hayashi Yoshimasa, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo on Feb. 4 afternoon.

During their meeting, H.E. Hayashi warmly welcomed Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Vongsey Vissoth and his delegation, commending Cambodia’s efforts under the Seventh Legislature of the National Assembly, led by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet.

He praised Cambodia’s commitment to implementing national development strategies and key reforms, particularly in strengthening Cambodia-Japan cooperation across multiple sectors to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

In response, Cambodia’s Permanent Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Vongsey Vissoth, expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for facilitating the visit and conveyed warm regards and greetings from Cambodia’s Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet to Japanese Prime Minister H.E. Shigeru Ishiba through H.E. Hayashi Yoshimasa.

He reaffirmed Cambodia’s strong commitment to fostering diplomatic ties and deepening partnerships with all nations, emphasising the country’s continued focus on strengthening collaboration with Japan across all domains.

H.E. Vongsey Vissoth acknowledged Japan as a longstanding and trusted partner of Cambodia. He highlighted Japan’s significant contributions to Cambodia’s peacebuilding and development efforts since the country’s post-conflict reconstruction phase.

Over the past four decades, Japan has played a pivotal role in Cambodia’s socio-economic progress through development aid, particularly in infrastructure, education, healthcare, logistics, trade, and investment. Notable achievements include the development of clean water supply systems in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, the construction of the Tsubasa Bridge (Neak Loeung Bridge), and collaboration in landmine and unexploded ordnance clearance for humanitarian and peacebuilding purposes at both regional and global levels.

Looking ahead, H.E. Hayashi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting Cambodia’s development by enhancing cooperation in priority sectors, including infrastructure, governance, legal reforms, telecommunications, and digital transformation—particularly in the deployment of 5G technology.

He also encouraged further public-private partnerships (PPPs) and increased Japanese investment in Cambodia to strengthen the country’s economic foundation.

During the meeting, both senior officials acknowledged the uncertainties and rapid geopolitical changes facing the world today. They pledged to uphold the principles of peace, multilateralism, and international cooperation while reinforcing a rules-based global order.

Cambodia and Japan share common values and visions for regional and global stability and will continue to work together to advance sustainable development and economic resilience.

On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Vongsey Vissoth also held separate discussions with H.E. Kiuchi Minoru, Minister in Charge of Economic Security, H.E. Miyaji Takuma, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Tanaka Akihiko, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

These discussions covered a range of topics aimed at further strengthening Cambodia-Japan cooperation, particularly in deepening bilateral ties and fostering closer people-to-people exchanges.

By K. Rithy Reak