Cambodia and Japan have agreed to conduct joint military exercises and launch an exchange program for young military officers, in a move aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and deepening their strategic partnership.
According to a press release issued by Cambodia’s Royal Cambodian Army on June 24, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Mao Sophan held a bilateral meeting with Morishita Yasunori, Chief of Staff of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force, at the army’s headquarters.
The statement noted that the two commanders discussed plans to establish a signal school and a chemical defense school under the Royal Cambodian Army. Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force has pledged to provide training, capacity-building support, and technical equipment to support these initiatives.
During the meeting, both sides also agreed to explore additional avenues for cooperation. These include organizing bilateral drills focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, conducting friendship parachute jumps, and implementing an exchange program for young officers.
Observers say the growing relationship between Cambodia and Japan could help counterbalance China’s influence in Cambodia and contribute to a more diversified foreign policy. Enhanced cooperation in economic development, digital technology, and security could also position Cambodia as a more active player in the strategic competition between the United States and China.
In 2023, on the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Cambodian and Japanese leaders agreed to elevate their partnership to the level of a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”
Diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Japan date back to 1953 and have steadily deepened over the decades. The Japanese Ministry of Defense has regularly provided material aid and training support to Cambodia’s armed forces, contributing to cooperation across multiple sectors.
