In a statement released on 30 May 2025, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and His Excellency ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, emphasized the importance of expanding and deepening their “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” during a bilateral Summit Meeting in Japan.
The two leaders stressed the need for co-creation of economic and social values, security cooperation based on trust and friendship, and maintaining an international order based on the rule of law. They welcomed progress in concrete cooperation, including the “Co-creation for common agenda initiative” in the digital field, since the launch of the “Three New Cooperation Approaches” last year.
The Cambodia-Japan Economic Co-Creation Package was announced, aiming to improve the business environment in Cambodia through Japan’s contribution to OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), supporting Japanese companies, forming Public-Private Partnership projects, and advancing telecommunications networks. The two Prime Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening capability of Cambodia’s maritime police and National Committee for Maritime Security.
Regarding security cooperation, the two leaders expressed their intention to further advance cooperation in the field. They welcomed Japan’s resumption of the assignment of a Japanese Defense Attaché to the Japanese Embassy in Cambodia. Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister also welcomed that both countries have been contributing to maintaining international peace and security through capacity-building in peacekeeping under the United Nations Triangular Partnership Programme (TPP).
The two Prime Ministers recognized that cross-border issues such as online scams, illegal gambling, trafficking in persons, money-laundering, and other organized crimes, as well as flooding, drought, air pollution, and climate change, are issues that cannot be dealt with by a single country. They concurred on the necessity of bilateral and regional cooperation, including through frameworks such as Mekong-Japan cooperation, ASEAN-Japan, and the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC).
In international arenas, the two leaders reaffirmed their respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. They expressed their intention to further strengthen cooperation towards realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific, which supports ASEAN unity and centrality, and is in line with ASEAN Charter and ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
The two Prime Ministers shared the recognition of the importance of economic resilience and economic security, including the strengthening of regional supply chains. They concurred on enhancing their efforts to maintain and strengthen a free and fair rules-based international economic order that contributes to inclusive, sustainable, and stable growth.
Considering Cambodia’s experience in peace process and national reconstruction, Prime Minister Ishiba welcomed Cambodia’s global role, including personnel contributions to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) and cooperation through the Conference on the Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD). The two Prime Ministers highly appreciated Cambodia-Japan collaboration in addressing international challenges.
The two leaders also expressed grave concerns over the continued ballistic missile launches by Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and strongly urged DPRK to fully abide by all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. They stressed the importance of peaceful dialogue in order to realize a lasting peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula, reiterated the importance of international efforts and diplomatic means to achieve the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Regarding the situation in Myanmar, the two Prime Ministers underscored the importance of providing humanitarian assistance that directly benefits the people of Myanmar concerning the damages caused by the earthquake. They also concurred that the continuation and full implementation of the ceasefire by all parties involved is essential for this purpose.
The two Prime Ministers recognized the need for reforming the United Nations Security Council to address serious global challenges and reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation to this end.
Key takeaways from the Cambodia-Japan Summit Meeting:
- Cambodia and Japan strengthen bilateral ties in economy, security, and international affairs.
- The two countries agreed on co-creation of economic and social values, security cooperation, and maintaining an international order based on the rule of law.
- Cambodia-Japan Economic Co-Creation Package announced to improve business environment in Cambodia.
- Security cooperation enhanced through capacity-building in peacekeeping under the United Nations Triangular Partnership Programme (TPP).
In conclusion, the Summit Meeting between Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and His Excellency ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, demonstrated the strong commitment of both countries to their “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”. The cooperation in economy, security, and international affairs will undoubtedly contribute to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.