AKP Phnom Penh, April 14, 2025 —

The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, in collaboration with the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Japan, the ESEA (East and Southeast Asia) working group, the Cambodia-Japan Friendship Association, and the Khmer Student Association in Nagoya, organised the "Khmer New Year in Japan" event to celebrate the traditional Cambodian New Year (Chaul Chnam Thmey) at Garden Pier Park in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan on April 13.

The event was co-chaired by H.E. Hang Toka, Secretary of State at Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, and H.E. Tuy Ry, Cambodian Ambassador to Japan.

The ceremony was graced by the honourable presence of H.E. Hirosawa Ichiro, Mayor of Nagoya, as the guest of honor, along with Mr. Tanabe Yuichi, Vice President of the Nagoya City Council, and Mr. Ohtani Kansuke, former member of the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly.

Congratulatory messages were also extended by Ms. Katayama Satsuki, Member of the House of Councillors and former Minister in charge of Special Missions, as well as H.E. Nakano Hiromasa, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism and Member of the House of Representatives.

The event saw a vibrant turnout of nearly 10,000 participants, including Cambodian expatriates, students, trainees, and workers.  

H.E. Hang Tola expressed his delight in participating in the event and conveyed warm greetings from Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, as well as other senior officials, to all Cambodians living, working, and studying in Japan.  

He emphasised the high recommendation of Samdech Thipadei, who urged the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training to organise more traditional New Year celebrations in countries with Cambodian workers. This initiative aims to foster unity, warmth, and cultural exchange among Cambodians abroad, regardless of background.  

For his part , H.E. Tuy Ry, Ambassador of Cambodia to Japan, conveyed warm greetings from Cambodian leadership, including Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate; Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister; and H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Participants expressed immense joy and pride in celebrating their heritage as one Khmer family, despite being abroad, and voiced strong support for continuing this tradition in the coming years.  

By K. Rithy Reak