On the special occasion of the Japanese Emperor’s birthday and the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Cambodia, The Phnom Penh Post thought it was the perfect time to review the fruitful relationship between both nations. Moeun Nhean, the Post’s special reports editor, poses questions to the Japanese embassy in Phnom Penh.

How many Japanese live in Cambodia?

1,479 Japanese nationals were registered as residents of Cambodia as of 2012, up 278 from the previous year.

How many Japanese tourists visit Cambodia every year?

The number of Japanese tourists to Cambodia is gradually increasing from 161,804 in 2011 to 179,327 in 2012. Data regarding Japanese tourist arrivals to Cambodia in 2013 is not yet available.

What attracts Japanese companies and businesspeople to Cambodia?

Japanese companies are very interested in Cambodia as an investment destination. For Japanese, the merits of investing in Cambodia include political and social stability, amicable bilateral relations, competitive labour costs, open investment policy, high economic growth rate, macroeconomic stability and a geographical advantage at the centre of the Southern Economic Corridors. Most of Japan’s investment has been made in the labour intensive manufacturing sectors including garment, shoes and electrical parts, etc.

How much the value of trade and investment between Cambodia and Japan?

Cambodia’s exports to Japan totaled $209 million in 2010, $309 million in 2011 and $404 million in 2012.

Japanese exports to Cambodia reached $158 million in 2010, $205 million in 2011 and $244 million in 2012

Japan’s investment in Cambodia has increased dramatically from $35 million in 2010 to $75 million in 2011 and $328 million in 2012.

How has Japan assisted the development of human resources in Cambodia?

Under Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) scheme, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has conducted a wide range of technical cooperation in which Japanese experts and volunteers transfer their knowledge and technologies to Cambodian government officials. JICA is also offering two-year Master’s courses to young Cambodian officials who are expected to play vital roles at the Cambodian government in future.

For Cambodian students, the government of Japan has been providing various scholarship programs since 1992. Programs are divided into four main categories:

· Research courses which aim to provide doctorate and Master degrees in Japanese graduate schools

· Undergraduate courses which provides opportunities to study at Japanese universities as undergraduate students

· College of technology courses which aimto train the engineers of the future

· Specialized training college courses which provides various kinds of vocational training and technical educations

For the last several years, as many as fifty students have been awarded the scholarship annually. The total number of scholarship recipients amounts to more than 840 as of August this year. The government of Japan would like to continue to invite as many Cambodian students as it can through these programs in its hope of assisting the development of Cambodia.

What government-to-government projects is Japan currently working on in Cambodia?

· Construction of Neak Loeung Bridge on National Road No 1

· Improvement of National Roads No 1 and No 5

· Flood protection and drainage improvement in Phnom Penh municipality

· West Tonle Sap irrigation and drainage rehabilitation and improvement

· Capacity building for the urban water supply system

· Educational resource development in science and mathematics at the lower secondary level

· Educational capacity development of Institute of Technology of Cambodia

· Improving official statistics in Cambodia

· Improving maternal and newborn care through midwifery capacity development

· Legal and judicial development