Sihanoukville: Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia has observed that Japan's role in seeking world peace over the past 30 years has grown. He also recalled Japan's first peace mission, which was in 1991. Japan not only sought peace for Cambodia but also contributed to the development of Cambodia.

Speaking at the meeting with the Commander of the Indo-Pacific Self-Defense Forces' 1st Demining Division of the Indo-Pacific Region, Noguchi Yasushi, on the evening of March 15, 2022, Prime Minister Hun Sen welcomed the ships of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces that docked in Cambodia, marking the 30th anniversary of the Japanese Peacekeeping Operations (PKO). More importantly, Japan has seen its success in finding peace in Cambodia.

The Prime Minister's personal assistant, Eang Sophalleth, told reporters: "According to the PKO operation 30 years ago, the Prime Minister said that he observed that Japan's role in finding world peace is growing. The PKO came to Cambodia so far not only to help find peace; moreover, it also helps the development of Cambodia."

The Prime Minister is really proud of Japan's PKO and encourages Japan to increase cooperation to promote peace in the region.

On that occasion, Noguchi Yasushi, Commander of the Indo-Pacific Self-Defense Demonstration 1st Division of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, thanked the Prime Minister for his good cooperation with Japan, which was recently demonstrated by the visitation of the Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, Hun Manet, to Japan. He vowed to the Prime Minister that he will do his best to maintain security in the area.

After the meeting, the Prime Minister also had a meal with the Japanese Navy crew at Sokha Hotel in Sihanoukville.

The two Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Ships, URAGA and HIRADO, have a total crew of 180. Both commanded by Noguchi Yasushi and docked at the port of Sihanoukville on the morning of March 15, 2022.

The two ships docked to mark the 30th anniversary of Japan's peacekeeping mission.