Siem Reap, June 24, 2025 — General Morishita Yasunori, Chief of Staff of Japan’s Ground Self-Defence Force, is on a four-day official visit to Cambodia aimed at strengthening military cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the area of human resource training for the Royal Cambodian Army.
On Monday, Gen. Morishita met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Siem Reap, where the two leaders held discussions centered on deepening defence ties and broadening bilateral military collaboration. The talks placed special emphasis on capacity building, technical assistance, and the promotion of joint activities in humanitarian and disaster response operations.
During the meeting, Gen. Morishita expressed his appreciation for the strong and growing relationship between Japan and Cambodia, noting that his visit underscores Japan’s continued commitment to supporting Cambodia’s military development. He stated that Japan aims to further enhance cooperation in human resource training, drawing on Japan’s experience and professionalism in ground force operations.
Prime Minister Hun Manet warmly welcomed Gen. Morishita to Siem Reap, describing the historic province as the heart of Khmer civilisation. He conveyed his gratitude to the Government and people of Japan for their longstanding contributions to Cambodia’s development, particularly their support for the conservation of cultural heritage sites, including their role as co-chair of the International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Sites of Angkor (ICC-Angkor).
“The cooperation between Cambodia and Japan in defence reflects a deep and trusted friendship,” said Mr. Hun Manet. “Japan has played a crucial role in supporting our army’s human resource development, and such collaboration is essential as we work to modernise and professionalise our forces.”
He highlighted the importance of mutual exchange in areas such as military training, capacity building, and humanitarian operations. The Prime Minister also encouraged both sides to explore more opportunities for cooperation, particularly through joint military exercises focused on disaster relief and demining—sectors in which Japan holds substantial expertise.
As part of his itinerary, Gen. Morishita is scheduled to meet with key Cambodian defence officials, including Senate President Hun Sen, Minister of National Defence General Tea Seiha, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) General Vong Pisen, and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the RCAF and Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, General Mao Sophan.
Beyond military engagements, Gen. Morishita will also visit the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage. His visit to this iconic site reaffirms Japan’s commitment not only to Cambodia’s security cooperation but also to cultural preservation and people-to-people ties.
Kin Phea, Director General of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, commented on the significance of the visit, stating, “The strong and evolving defence cooperation between Cambodia and Japan demonstrates Cambodia’s efforts to diversify its security partnerships. It also contributes to regional peace and stability.”
Japan has long been a key partner in Cambodia’s development, offering support in infrastructure, education, and now increasingly in defence cooperation. The visit by Gen. Morishita signals a new phase in military-to-military relations, one that combines technical collaboration with humanitarian objectives.
As both countries look to the future, their strengthened partnership will likely lead to expanded joint exercises, greater personnel exchanges, and deeper cooperation in fields of mutual interest, ensuring that the ties between Cambodia and Japan continue to flourish across sectors.
