Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Chief of Staff General Yoshihide Yoshida’s visit to Cambodia will push forward relations between the armies of the two countries, according to Minister of National Defence Tea Banh.
Tea Banh made the remarks during Yoshida’s February 16 courtesy call on him, thanking the JGSDF and Tokyo for sending mine-clearance experts to train Cambodian deminers, who in turn drilled Ukrainian counterparts.
General Yoshida highlighted progress in defence cooperation between the two armies, which he said is being strengthened and developed through the exchange of visits and human resource training.
He hailed the 70th anniversary of Cambodia-Japan diplomatic relations, marked by their elevation to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), which he said would underpin work to step up bilateral cooperation.
He voiced optimism that his meetings in the Kingdom would lead to closer cooperation between the two armies, especially in the humanitarian and disaster relief assistance domains.
Between 2008 and 2022, 24 vessels of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force docked at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port on nine occasions. Joint drills were conducted to strengthen cooperation as well as enhance the capacities of Cambodia and Japan navy personnel in the humanitarian, healthcare, social, disaster relief and counter-terrorism fields.
