Cambodia and Japan reaffirm ties as Phnom Penh invites Tokyo to parliamentary speakers’ conference

TOKYO, July 6, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and expanding their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as Phnom Penh invited Tokyo to join the Second Inter‑Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference next month.

The invitation was conveyed by Chum Sounry, Cambodia’s Ambassador to Japan, during talks with Kokudo Mori, Director‑General of the International Affairs Department of Japan’s House of Councillors. Sounry presented a letter from Senate President Hun Sen to Masakazu Sekiguchi, President of the House of Councillors, inviting him to attend the conference in Phnom Penh in August.

Sounry said Cambodia hoped Sekiguchi’s participation would make a meaningful contribution to discussions, reaffirming Japan’s longstanding commitment to parliamentary diplomacy, international cooperation and the promotion of peace and stability. Both sides also exchanged views on parliamentary cooperation and broader Cambodia‑Japan relations.

The ambassador highlighted progress under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to deepening ties with Japan’s House of Councillors. He also briefed Mori on Cambodia’s intensified efforts to combat online scams, cybercrime and transnational crime, stressing a zero‑tolerance policy and strengthened law enforcement cooperation.

Sounry further updated Japan on Cambodia’s decision to initiate compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS following Thailand’s withdrawal from a 2001 maritime cooperation memorandum, saying Cambodia remains committed to resolving disputes peacefully through dialogue and international law.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming the importance of expanding parliamentary exchanges and institutional cooperation, further strengthening bilateral relations.