Six Ministry of Environment officials, along with government representatives and young people from Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, will conduct a nine-day Japan visit from Monday as part of the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youth – Jenesys – project, under the theme “Improvement of the atmospheric environment”.

According a press release issued by the Japanese embassy in Cambodia on Sunday, the participants will visit Japan’s Ministry of the Environment to learn about environmental policy, returning next Tuesday

They will also visit Yokkaichi City in Mie Prefecture, where people have in the past suffered from atmospheric pollution.

The Yokkaichi Pollution and Environmental Museum for Future Awareness will provide the group insights into improving air quality.

‘Deepen understanding’

The participants will also visit various other facilities related to the environment and technology, as well as receiving a more general exposure to Japanese culture.

The press release said Jenesys aims to promote mutual trust and understanding among the people of Japan and participating countries in order to build future friendships and cooperation.

“Through the programme, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has invited more than 2,000 young Cambodians since 2007. It is expected that the participants will deepen their understanding of Japan and, after coming back, share their experience widely with the Cambodian people,” the press release said.

Experience and knowledge

Ministry of Environment spokesman Neth Pheaktra told The Post on Sunday that six ministry officials will travel to Japan for field trips and to exchange experience on environmental issues.

He said the delegates will acquire more experience and knowledge regarding how Japan deals with environmental problems.

Pheaktra also expressed hope that with increased expertise, the Cambodian delegates would help to improve the Kingdom’s environment.

“[It’s important to gain] experience about improving the atmospheric environment and maintaining clean air quality."

“I would like to emphasise that, according to a recent expert assessment, the quality of air in Cambodia is very good and was not influenced by neighbouring countries, especially Thailand,” he said.

Pheaktra said the visit was an opportunity for some Cambodian young people to gain insight to prepare them to work at professional institutions, which in turn would allow them to acquire more experience.