One of the unique nations in the world, Japan is able to keep up excellent connections with many other nations, including Cambodia. When we take part in conferences, intellectual discussions, or political gatherings in ASEAN countries, we often hear individuals discussing the US-China competition, the Russia-Ukraine War, India’s ascent, and the internal problems facing ASEAN member states.
Japan has been noted as the nation that has received the highest respect from all of the ASEAN countries when people prefer to discuss the US-China Competition in those countries. There isn’t a single ASEAN nation that struggles or has ill will against Japan.
Already, seventy-one years have passed since Cambodia and Japan established diplomatic ties. Seventy-one years of age ought to be sufficient for both nations to comprehend one another and learn everything from one another. Japan and Cambodia resumed formal diplomatic ties in January 1953. In 1955, Hirohito, the Japanese Emperor, granted Norodom Sihanouk, the King of Cambodia, the Order of the Chrysanthemum.
Japan is a democratic nation that has helped Cambodia under various regimes and during various circumstances. Even though western nations pressured Japan not to support Cambodia, particularly as Cambodia got ready for the 2017 election, Japan just wants to help Cambodia improve its own circumstances. Japan is aware of Cambodia’s political structure and its current state of affairs.
2017 brought many difficulties to Cambodia, including the closure of a well-known newspaper and numerous local radio stations that carried programming from outside the country. That year saw the arrest of Mr. Kem Sokha, the head of the opposition party.
2017 marked a significant turning point for Cambodia, with numerous changes to the country’s political landscape and atmosphere. While many Western nations had stopped supporting the government of Cambodia at that point, Japan persisted in its support of the country, offering the National Election Committee of Cambodia a great deal of technical assistance. Western nations did not think that Cambodia could turn things around, and at the time they advised the government of Cambodia to liberate the leader of the opposition party and reopen the newspapers that were seen as the country’s symbols of press freedom. The government of Cambodia has just replied to the international community, requesting that it be respected for its sovereignty and the laws that it has just implemented internally.
Japan, a longtime ally of Cambodia and a nation with close ties to the late King Norodom Sihanouk, did not ask the Cambodian government to take any action in lieu of continuing to assist Cambodia in getting ready for the general election. Japan feels that Cambodia ought to be allowed to handle its own domestic issues.
When there are issues or disagreements, Japanese diplomats and ambassadors always endeavor to have face-to-face discussions with the Cambodian government. They are extremely courteous and respectful of each nation’s internal matters. Before having a spoken discussion, Japanese diplomats never permit thoughts or suggestions for the Cambodian government to be shared with media. Communicating verbally and in person are crucial for mutual understanding.
Read full article at Khmer Times: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501519013/why-japan-is-very-special-for-cambodia/