PHNOM PENH: The Chief of the Ground Staff for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), Yoshida Yoshihide, has remarked that Prime Minister Hun Sen not only led the army during the war in Cambodia, but is also a leader who has brought peace to the country.

While meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday morning, 16 February 2023, at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, General Yoshida Yoshihide said that he appreciates the Prime Minister’s leadership and remarked that, "Without Prime Minister Hun Sen, there is no peace.”

While speaking with the media after the meeting, the Prime Minister’s personal assistant, Eang Sophalleth, stated that General Yoshida “paid tribute to the Prime Minister, who built, led and brought peace, stability and rapid development to Cambodia.”

General Yoshida also confirmed to Prime Minister Hun Sen that Japan would promote strengthening military relations with Cambodia and would act as an equal strategic partner in all aspects, without either being the leader or follower.

In response, Prime Minister Hun Sen mentioned the struggles he faced to build a military during the Khmer Rouge, which was the most difficult thing Cambodia has ever gone through.

He stated that going to war and seeking unity talks was nothing more than seeking peace for his country.

"If there is peace, it is everything, if there is no peace, there is no democracy and no human right," he said. "Human rights do not remain when there is war, Ukraine is an example."

The Prime Minister of Cambodia urged both Cambodia and Japan to increase military cooperation in order to safeguard the peace of both countries in the region and in the world.