Cambodia and Japan reaffirm close ties during ambassador’s farewell call

PHNOM PENH, July 4, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia’s National Assembly President Samdech Khuon Sudary has hailed Japan as a trusted partner whose support has delivered lasting benefits for Cambodians, during a farewell meeting with outgoing Japanese Ambassador Ueno Atsushi.

The meeting was held Friday at the National Assembly Palace as Ambassador Ueno concluded his three-year mission in Cambodia.

Samdech Khuon Sudary praised the strengthening of the Cambodia–Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, citing closer cooperation in diplomacy, trade, tourism, cultural exchanges and humanitarian assistance.

She noted that 2026 marks the 73rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Recalling Japan’s role in Cambodia’s peace process, she paid tribute to two Japanese peacekeepers killed while serving with the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) in 1993. She also highlighted Japan’s contributions in demining, human resource development, agriculture and trade.

According to Samdech Khuon Sudary, bilateral trade exceeded US$2.6 billion in 2025, while Japanese investment in Cambodia totalled about US$2.9 billion between 1994 and 2025.

She thanked Japan for providing scholarships to some 17,000 Cambodian students and noted that nearly 70,000 Cambodians had worked in Japan, gaining income and technical skills to support national development.

Ambassador Ueno expressed gratitude for the National Assembly’s cooperation, saying it had enabled him to achieve meaningful results. He said he was honoured to witness Samdech Khuon Sudary’s leadership as Cambodia’s first female National Assembly president, noting Japan had also recently appointed its first female prime minister.

Reflecting on his tenure, Ueno said he had visited every province and city in Cambodia and had been warmly welcomed by local communities.

The two officials also discussed political, economic and social issues, with emphasis on strengthening parliamentary cooperation.

Samdech Khuon Sudary voiced Cambodia’s support for Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy, describing it as consistent with ASEAN’s outlook and the Cambodian government’s Pentagonal Strategy – Phase I under Prime Minister Hun Manet.