Cambodia and Japan deepen sports cooperation with focus on athlete development and sports science

TOKYO, July 3, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia and Japan have agreed to strengthen cooperation in sports development, with a sharper focus on athlete and coach training, sports science, school sports and inclusive programmes, officials said Friday.

The commitment was reaffirmed during a working visit by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron to the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) in Tokyo, where he met senior board member Hayashi Hajime and other officials to discuss expanding collaboration.

Both sides praised the long‑standing friendship and strategic partnership between Cambodia and Japan, noting that cooperation has grown across many sectors, particularly sports. They pledged to promote sustainable sports development through closer institutional ties.

Talks centred on developing elite athletes, strengthening school sports and physical education, encouraging wider public participation to improve health, and exchanging experiences in sports governance.

Japan welcomed Cambodia’s participation in the 20th Asian Games, while Cambodia invited Japan to join the 2029 Asian Youth Games it will host. Naron highlighted Cambodia’s efforts to improve athletic performance and proposed expanding cooperation in seven areas, including sports science, women’s participation, inclusive sports and digital innovation.

He thanked Japan for its longstanding support, including expert coaches in judo and karate and assistance through the Sport for Tomorrow initiative, which has boosted the skills of Cambodian athletes and coaches.