Deepening Ties: Cambodia and Japan Set to Scale Up Cooperation Across Four Strategic Pillars

• 2 February 2026
• Local News
• 840 Views

Ambassador Chum Sounry and Kojima Holdings outline an ambitious roadmap for economic growth, infrastructure development, and vocational excellence in Atsugi

Cambodia and Japan are poised to enter a more dynamic phase of their bilateral relationship, with a renewed focus on expanding cooperation in four high-potential sectors: economy, trade, construction, and agriculture. This strategic direction was reinforced during a high-level meeting on January 22, 2026, in Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture, between His Excellency Chum Sounry, Ambassador-Designate of Cambodia to Japan, and Mr. Kojima Masanobu, Chairman of KOJIMA Holdings Co., Ltd.. The discussion marks a critical milestone in leveraging the Cambodia-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to drive sustainable development and industrial innovation.

The partnership is built on a solid foundation of existing investments, notably through KOJIMAGUMI Cambodia Co., Ltd., which has been active in the Kingdom since 2013. A key engine for this growth is the Cambodian Private Commercial Center (CPCC) in Atsugi, managed by Ms. Machiko Kosugi, which serves as a vital hub for trade promotion and cultural exchange. The center not only facilitates business matching and investment inquiries but also provides a platform for showcasing Cambodian products and fostering people-to-people ties.

A significant highlight of the ongoing collaboration is the “Khmer Village” project in Kanagawa, an initiative aimed at promoting Cambodian culture, cuisine, and traditional crafts to the Japanese public. This project, combined with a strong focus on vocational training, is designed to enhance the skills of Cambodian workers and prepare them for roles in Japan’s advanced manufacturing and construction sectors. Furthermore, KOJIMA Holdings has expressed strong interest in Cambodia’s agro-industrial potential, specifically in value-added processing for crops like cassava to produce bio-ethanol, which aligns with the Kingdom’s green energy goals.

The meeting in Atsugi underscores the mutual commitment to transforming these plans into tangible results that benefit both economies. By integrating Japanese technical expertise with Cambodia’s growing labor force and strategic location, this collaboration is set to become a model for the Japan-Cambodia Economic Co-Creation Package. As Ambassador Chum Sounry continues his mission to deepen strategic ties, the synergy between the public sector and private enterprises like Kojima Holdings will remain a cornerstone of Cambodia’s journey toward becoming a high-income nation by 2050.

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