Hun Manet and Ishiba Shigeru Reaffirm Comprehensive Cambodia–Japan Partnership
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Phnom Penh, May 31, 2025 — During an official visit to Japan from May 28 to 31, 2025, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and Japanese Prime Minister H.E. Shigeru Ishiba reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations. A joint statement was issued following their bilateral summit on May 30, highlighting strengthened cooperation in development, trade, defense, and regional security.
Joint Press Conference Highlights Development and Labor Cooperation
At a joint press conference on May 30, Prime Minister Hun Manet commended Japan’s longstanding contributions to Cambodia’s development, particularly in human resource capacity-building and humanitarian demining activities. He emphasized Cambodia’s readiness to continue cooperating in addressing the demand for skilled labor, noting that employment opportunities abroad help Cambodian workers acquire valuable skills and experience that contribute to national development.
Prime Minister Hun Manet also expressed appreciation for Japan’s support in developing the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, highlighting its potential to evolve into a regional port and logistics hub, thereby enhancing Cambodia’s role in regional trade and connectivity.
Boosting Defense Cooperation
In the area of defense, Prime Minister Hun Manet welcomed the goodwill visit of two Japanese minesweepers—JS Bungo (MST-464) and JS Etajima (MSO-306)—which became the first foreign vessels to dock at Ream Naval Base after the completion of its first-phase renovation in April 2025. This marked a milestone in Cambodia-Japan defense relations and signaled Cambodia’s openness to cooperation with friendly countries in the maritime domain.
Economic and Strategic Initiatives
The summit also saw the announcement of the Cambodia–Japan Economic Co-Creation Package, aimed at promoting business environment reform in Cambodia, supporting Japanese private sector engagement, and strengthening industrial and digital infrastructure, including OECD participation and public-private partnerships.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing economic and social value co-creation through digital innovation, water resource management, mine action, and telecommunications development. They also highlighted the role of Cambodia’s maritime police and the National Committee for Maritime Security in contributing to regional stability.
Regional and International Cooperation
The two Prime Ministers discussed a wide range of regional and international issues, including cross-border crime, climate change, and cryptocurrency-related threats. They agreed to enhance cooperation through regional frameworks such as ASEAN-Japan, Mekong-Japan, and the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), with a strong focus on disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.
On the international front, they reaffirmed support for ASEAN centrality and a free and open Indo-Pacific, aligned with the ASEAN Outlook. Japan appreciated Cambodia’s contributions to UN peacekeeping operations and recognized its role in hosting humanitarian initiatives, including training for deminers and hosting Palestinian delegations.
Shared Vision for Peace and Stability
The two leaders expressed deep concern over the security situation in the Korean Peninsula, the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, and ongoing tensions in the South China Sea. They called for adherence to international law, peaceful dialogue, and freedom of navigation under the 1982 UNCLOS framework.
Prime Minister Hun Manet reiterated Cambodia’s support for Japan’s bid for permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council, acknowledging Japan’s leadership in addressing global security challenges.
