AKP Phnom Penh, December 26, 2025 --

Cambodia and Japan lauded the progress in their bilateral cooperation during the 3rd Senior Officials' Talks (SOTs) between both countries’ Foreign Ministries in Phnom Penh on Dec. 25.

The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Ung Rachana, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia (MFAIC), and H.E. NAMAZU Hiroyuki, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan. 

According to the MFAIC, the SOTs meeting noted with great satisfaction the significant progress achieved across key areas of bilateral cooperation since the second SOTS meeting. Both sides shared the view that the frequent exchanges of visits and interactions at all levels and across various sectors, particularly the visit to Japan last May by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, have substantially contributed to further deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Cambodia and Japan.

The meeting highly commended the effective implementation of the New Cooperation Approach and agreed to actively advance the Economic Co-Creation Package launched last May, with the aim of expanding bilateral economic relations and further attracting Japanese investment to Cambodia.

Regarding the escalation of the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, both sides emphasised the importance of a peaceful resolution through dialogue, the cessation of hostilities, and the safe return of internally displaced persons to their homes. The meeting also discussed recent regional and international developments of mutual interest.

During his stay in Cambodia, H.E. NAMAZU Hiroyuki paid a courtesy call on H.E. PRAK Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, during which they exchanged views on regional and multilateral cooperation, including the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict. H.E. the Foreign Minister underlined Cambodia's consistent position and way forward toward the peaceful resolution of the border conflict, which has been intensified since the outbreak of renewed fighting on Dec. 7, 2025.

By C. Nika