Japanese senator Natsuo Yamaguchi pledged to boost demining cooperation in Cambodia, as Prime Minister Hun Manet reiterated his request for the Japanese side to further expand joint efforts in the sector.
Yamaguchi, who serves as president of the Japanese Komeito party, made the commitment during a July 15 meeting with Manet in Phnom Penh.
“Yamaguchi will boost cooperation on climate change, cyber security and especially in the field of demining,” a July 15 statement posted on Manet’s social media said.
It quoted Yamaguchi as saying that Japan has had excellent and close cooperation with the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and that the centre is one of the most skilled and experienced clearance forces.
Manet stated that the government continues to prioritise the removal of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO).
He said that to date, the country has cleared more than 3,000 square kilometres of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), adding that it will continue to clear more than 1,700 square kilometres to reduce the risk of accidents caused by UXO and contribute to improving people’s livelihoods.
“In this regard, the prime minister encouraged the Japanese side to continue to strengthen and expand cooperation in the field of demining,” the statement said.
Cambodia and Japan upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2023.
Manet noted that Cambodia-Japan cooperation is at its highest level in the history of their relations following the recent upgrade and the launch of a new Japanese initiative to strengthen and expand cooperation with Cambodia.
The new approach focuses on building social infrastructure, sea connectivity and mine removal efforts.
Senior minister Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), said in a July 15 meeting with Yamaguchi that the government was ready to co-support new “initiatives on Japan-Cambodia mine action”.
“Cambodia is ready to cooperate and provide a partnership for Japan’s success in chairing the 22nd meeting of the State Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention [Ottawa Convention] in 2025,” he said.
A July 15 CMAA statement quoted Yamaguchi as saying that Japan has set three principles for contributing to the demining sector in Cambodia, including ERW and UXO clearance, mine awareness education and victim rescue, as well as rehabilitation and vocational training.
According to the statement, he mentioned that Cambodia has sufficient expertise in mine clearance and is sharing its experience with countries facing the threat of landmines. Yamaguchi urged Japan and Cambodia to continue collaborating to address the global landmine issue.