Japan-Cambodia Defense Ministers’ Meeting

June 21, 2022
Japan Ministry of Defense

On June 21, 2022, Defense Minister KISHI, who is visiting Cambodia to attend the Japan-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting, held a meeting with Samdech Pichey Sana Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Kingdom of Cambodia. The summary of the meeting is as follows:

  1. At the outset of the meeting, Minister Kishi stated that he was honored to make his first visit to Cambodia in thirty years as Japan’s Defense Minister. He also mentioned that this year is the 30th anniversary of the UN Peace Keeping Operation (PKO) deployment to Cambodia by Japan Self-Defense Forces, and expressed appreciation for warm welcome by the National Defense of Cambodia. In response, Minister Tea Banh welcomed Minister Kishi’s visit to Cambodia.
  2. The Ministers exchanged views on the regional security issues including Ukraine, the South China Sea and North Korea, and reaffirmed to further enhancing coordination bilaterally while the foundation of the international order has been shaken by the issues of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On top of that, concerning the situations in the region, Minister Kishi reiterated his strong opposition to unilaterally change, or attempt to change, the status quo backed by force or escalate tensions.
  3. The Ministers exchanged views on bilateral defense cooperation and welcomed progress of cooperation made in a wide range of areas, including visit to Japan by Lt. Gen. Hun Manet, Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, port calls in Cambodia by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the training in road surveying for peacekeepers of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces in PKO capacity building, which has been implemented since May 30th.
  4. Furthermore, the Ministers also concurred in strengthening defense cooperation and exchanges between both countries while maintaining close communication between respective defense establishments.
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