Why Cambodia Should Deepen Indo-Pacific Ties with Japan
The Royal Academy of Cambodia’s Seun Sam meets with officials from the Japanese foreign ministry during recent visits to Tokyo and Okinawa. Supplied
-Opinion-
At the invitation of the embassy of Japan to the Kingdom of Cambodia, I had the opportunity to visit Japan from October 5 to 11. I spent time with officials and scholars and representatives from different Japanese institutions during my study tour. The visit provided me with essential knowledge about Japan’s diplomatic approach and development strategy and the governance systems which make Japan a trustworthy Asian partner. The experience strengthened my conviction that Cambodia needs to advance its strategic partnership with Japan throughout the Indo-Pacific period.
Japan has maintained its position as one of Cambodia’s leading development partners since the early 1990s. The Paris Peace Agreements and national elections and infrastructure development projects received Japanese funding, enabling Cambodia to achieve peace, economic growth and better connectivity.
The most significant aspect of my recent visit to Japan was its absolute dedication to peace and stability, which extends from its domestic territory to the entire Indo-Pacific region. The foreign policy of Japan operates through three core principles which include respecting others, following established rules and working together inclusively. The Japanese diplomatic approach stands apart from confrontational and transactional methods because it focuses on creating trust while supporting capacity growth and promoting enduring development.
The values of Japan align perfectly with Cambodia because it stands as a small nation strategically positioned in the region. The long-term non-interfering support from Japan has enabled Cambodia to build its capacity for modern infrastructure development, while improving its education system and human resource training. The historical friendship between our nations creates an excellent base for developing an advanced strategic alliance.
The Indo-Pacific region faces both new challenges and promising future prospects in the current geopolitical situation.
The Indo-Pacific region faces an intense period of transformation because of its fast-changing geopolitical situation. Major powers including the US, China and India are focusing their strategic interests on the region, which has become the central point of global competition. The region undergoes transformation because of three main factors: Maritime security concerns, economic links and technological battles.
The foreign policy of Cambodia needs to adapt to current changes while maintaining a strategic approach to international relations. The country needs to focus on three main priorities: Safeguarding national interests, building multiple alliances and upholding ASEAN’s central position. Japan stands as the perfect partner for Cambodia to handle regional complexities because it maintains peaceful democratic governance and extensive economic and cultural bonds with Southeast Asia.
Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) initiative exists to create conditions where every nation, regardless of size, can prosper through international law. The open trade routes and multilateral framework and investment flows that Cambodia depends on make it well-positioned to gain substantial advantages from joining Japan’s cooperative and inclusive vision.
Japanese Development Support for Cambodia
Japan provides Cambodia with extensive and purposeful development assistance. The Tsubasa Bridge and National Road 1 and Sihanoukville Port expansion projects demonstrate Japan’s ongoing support for the Kingdom’s development. Japan supports human capital development through scholarship programmes, technical training and institutional capacity-building initiatives, in addition to its physical infrastructure projects.
The Japanese approach to governance and public service delivery impressed me during my visit because it emphasises discipline, innovation and operational efficiency. The development approach of Japan contains essential elements which Cambodia needs to adopt for institutional transformation and public sector management enhancement.
Japanese industrial development support through the Cambodia-Japan Special Economic Zone and business partnerships with Japanese companies has established thousands of employment opportunities while increasing export capabilities. The development of economic ties with Japan will boost Cambodian market competitiveness and reduce its dependence on single markets.
The Strategic Partnership Between Cambodia and Japan Should Evolve to a Deeper Level
The time has come for Cambodia and Japan to shift their conventional development cooperation into a complete strategic alliance. The upgraded partnership would enable cooperation through four essential domains.
1.Economic Resilience and Innovation.
The two countries need to collaborate to develop high-quality investments, a digital transformation and innovation-based economic expansion. The implementation of Japanese technology and management systems by Cambodia will enhance productivity levels and industrial quality and environmental protection standards.
2.Education and Human Resource Development.
The development of scholarships, academic exchanges and vocational training programmes between Cambodian institutions and Japanese universities will create opportunities to build future leaders and skilled professionals. The educational connection between nations serves as a permanent link which supports enduring bilateral relations and cultural comprehension between these two countries.
3.Maritime and Regional Security Cooperation.
Cambodia’s ASEAN membership enables it to work with Japan on maintaining regional stability through dialogue-based initiatives, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations and peacekeeping training programmes. The Japanese Self-Defense Forces actively participate in UN peacekeeping operations and maintain a solid commitment to non-aggressive policies which makes them an excellent security partner for this field.
4.Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges.
The development of cultural exchange programmes, tourism initiatives and youth dialogue activities will enhance the friendship between the Cambodian and Japanese peoples. The Japanese people hold deep respect for harmony and mutual trust which I observed firsthand during my visit. These values could guide Cambodian society toward unity during its modernisation process.
Reflections from My Visit
During my visit, I observed how the Japanese people demonstrated exceptional discipline together with humility and complete dedication to their work. The entire nation displayed a unified sense of order and shared responsibility throughout all public areas including government buildings, educational facilities and public areas. Japanese achievements stem from both technological progress and cultural principles which emphasise respect, diligence and social harmony.
The values of Japan create specific opportunities for Cambodia to progress in its development path. The implementation of Japanese governance discipline, administrative efficiency and leadership integrity by Cambodia will speed up its path toward becoming an upper-middle-income nation before 2030.
Japanese experts and officials demonstrated authentic support for Cambodia’s progress in modernisation and human development during my conversations with them. Japan treats Cambodia as a permanent strategic ally which receives support for its development while working together to advance peace, prosperity and cultural exchange in Southeast Asia.
All in all, the Indo-Pacific period requires Cambodia to select strategic partners who support its goals of peace, development and national sovereignty. Japan emerges as an exceptional partner because it upholds trustworthiness and reliability and maintains common values with Cambodia.
The development of strategic relations with Japan will enable Cambodia to build national strength while expanding its international influence and maintaining its active role in regional and global affairs during its upcoming national development phase. The relationship between Cambodia and Japan shows promising signs for future growth.
Our partnership will thrive through respectful collaboration, shared dedication and visionary leadership, creating benefits for our nations and strengthening peace and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Dr. Seun Sam is a policy analyst at the Royal Academy of Cambodia. The views and opinions expressed are his own.
-The Phnom Penh Post-
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