The Japanese government On November 12 provided $51.3 million to Cambodia for the implementation of four major projects. SPM
Observers and analysts see continued Japanese cooperation with Cambodia as a sign that both the economy and democracy in Cambodia are improving.
Japan announced a $51.3 million grant to Cambodia for the implementation of four major projects at a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida on November 12.
The projects include the construction of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre’s (CMAC) Training and War Awareness Centre; a socio-economic development programme; a project to improve the management of contaminated medical waste; and the expansion of a water treatment plant Prek Village.
Yong Kim Eng, director of the People’s Centre for Development and Peace, said Japan’s ongoing cooperation with Cambodia is a clear indicator of economic growth as well as respect for the rule of law and democracy in the Kingdom.
“For Cambodia, it is a source of pride to receive additional cooperation from Japan. To temper this pride, the Kingdom must improve its legal system to allow Japan to cooperate in more areas, especially the economy. We should ensure that Japan can expand the scope of its investment,” he told The Post on November 13.
He said the government must respond to the needs of the people as this will lead to stability and peace that will enable Japan to provide long-lasting cooperation.
He warned that if Cambodia does not take into account the issues of human rights and democracy, as well as transparency and corruption, Japan will not be able to continue investing because it must abide by the laws of its own country as well.
Vann Bunna, a geopolitical researcher, is of the view that Japan is using soft tactics to engage with Cambodia to balance Chinese influence in the region’s political landscape. And through its latest pledge of cooperation, Japan is trying to increase its power and influence in Cambodia in response to the strong Chinese influence, he explained.
“According to the development projects and cooperation agreements that have been signed so far, Japan has provided an additional $51 million in aid packages, while China has provided $27 million. This paints a picture of Japanese power,” he said.
He added that Cambodia maintains a policy of establishing relationships with all countries for mutual benefit, not just one nation.
What is significant about the relationship between Japan and Cambodia is that it is a long-standing traditional relationship. This means that even if there were a political crisis in Cambodia, Japan would not back out, he said.
