PHNOM PENH: The Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, General Yamazaki Koji, has informed Prime Minister Hun Sen that Japan is pleased with the military cooperation with Cambodia and has decided on the preparation of joint military exercises between Japan and Cambodia.

In a meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace on Friday morning (29 April), General Yamazaki Koji informed the Prime Minister that his current visit to Cambodia is to further strengthen and expand cooperation in the field of defense, in accordance with the joint-declaration made between the leaders of Japan and Cambodia. He added that Japan would like to see long-term military cooperation with Cambodia, focused on training for humanitarian aid, disaster relief and counter-terrorism.

The Personal Assistant of the Prime Minister, Eang Sophalleth, told reporters after the meeting that "General Yamazaki informed Prime Minister Hun Sen that he met with General Vong Pisen and Lt. Gen. Hun Manet to discuss long-term cooperation in the field of national defense, focusing on training for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and terrorism prevention, towards [achieving] a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Prime Minister Hun Sen welcomed General Yamazaki's remarks, encouraging the Japanese and Cambodian armies to work together on existing cooperation and to continue the work as mentioned.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Japanese peacekeeping operation on the international stage. Cambodia was the first country that Japan arrived in to begin its peacekeeping operations, helping maintain peace in 1992 during the UNTAC era. Next year, 2023, will also mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Cambodia.

Earlier this year, Cambodia and Japan saw a strengthening of ties after Japan invited Lt. Gen. Hun Manet for an official visit, and Japanese Prime Minister, Kishida Fumio, also visited Cambodia when two Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships docked in Sihanoukville in March. Prime Minister Hun Sen also recently attended the Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Japan, where he once again met with the Japanese Prime Minister.

^{PHOTO: EAC NEWS}