Japanese advisor to Cambodia’s Justice Ministry honored by Japan’s foreign minister

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Nov.29,2025) — A Japanese advisor to Cambodia’s Ministry of Justice has been honored for decades of work supporting the country’s legal and judicial development.

Sakano Issei received a commendation letter from Japan’s foreign minister during a ceremony Thursday at the Embassy of Japan in Phnom Penh. Ambassador Ueno Atsushi congratulated Sakano and praised his long-standing contributions to fostering cooperation between the two countries.

Sakano first became involved in Cambodia through volunteer work with the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia and later with a non-governmental organization.

In 1998, he arrived as a long-term expert with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, leading legal and judicial development projects. He returned in 2004 to continue work on subsequent phases.

Over more than a decade, Sakano helped draft key legislation, including Cambodia’s Penal Code, and supported capacity-building initiatives in the legal and judicial sectors.

Since 2018, he has served as an advisor to the Ministry of Justice, contributing to reforms such as the Municipal Code and sharing expertise with students in Japan to promote bilateral understanding.

Ueno said Sakano’s work reflects Japan’s long-term support for Cambodia’s nation-building and contributes to broader bilateral relations.

He added that the commendation recognizes decades of dedication and is expected to further strengthen cooperation in the legal and judicial fields.

Japan has provided assistance to Cambodia’s legal system for more than 25 years, with Sakano playing a key role in those efforts.