Japanese soft power and political clout has always been underestimated, with its economic largesse, alliance with Washington, and influence among Western countries forming a backbone in Asian regional diplomacy that can be put to good use when needed.
Against that backdrop – and with much pomp – recently elected Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio arrived in Phnom Penh on Sunday for a two day visit and gifted his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen with a glad bag of political tidings.
Hun Sen asked Kishida to consider a free trade agreement, import more Cambodian agricultural products, and encourage Japanese companies – including Panasonic, Toshiba, Mitsubishi, and Yamaha – to set up factories here.
In full: https://thediplomat.com/2022/03/japan-raises-its-voice-in-cambodia/
