Cambodia-Japan Cultural Exchange Event Symbolizes Enduring Friendship

His Excellency Chum Sundry, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Cambodia to Japan, expressed his hope that the "International Cultural Exchange Program Isehara – Cambodia Village" would continue to develop into a significant platform for connecting Cambodian and Japanese people, symbolizing the long-standing friendship between the two nations. His Excellency made these remarks during the "International Cultural Exchange Program Isehara – Cambodia Village," held in Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, on September 12, 2026. On this occasion, His Excellency highlighted the excellent and long-standing friendship between Cambodia and Japan, noting that bilateral relations have reached a new level under the framework of a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership." His Excellency emphasized that cooperation between the two countries continues to grow in many sectors, including trade and investment, infrastructure, human resource development, education, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. His Excellency stressed that the strength of the relationship between Cambodia and Japan is built not only through government-to-government cooperation but also through friendship and mutual understanding between the people, local communities, and the younger generation. In this context, His Excellency highly appreciated the "Cambodia Village" initiative, which provides an opportunity for Japanese people to get to know and understand Cambodia more closely through its culture, traditions, cuisine, and people. Simultaneously, it offers opportunities for Cambodian citizens living in Japan to actively participate and interact with their Japanese friends and local communities. His Excellency also expressed his admiration for Kojima Holdings, which has long paid attention to and participated with Cambodia, as well as the company's efforts to strengthen not only economic and business relations with Cambodia but also cultural and people-to-people exchanges in Japan. It should be noted that this event brought together hundreds of participants, including Mr. Kojima Masanobu, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Mr. Okami Takeshi, Representative Director of Kojima Holdings Co., Ltd.; Mr. Hagiwara Tetsuya, Mayor of Isehara City; Mr. Watanabe Noriyuki, Member of the Kanagawa Prefectural Assembly; representatives of the Cambodian community in Japan, as well as other distinguished guests and citizens of Cambodia and Japan. This event also featured numerous cultural and community activities, including traditional Khmer dance performances by Cambodian children, Japanese traditional drum performances (Wadaiko), sales and exhibitions of Cambodian food and products, as well as local products from Isehara City. These activities provided participants with opportunities to learn about and experience the cultures and traditions of both countries, contributing to the promotion of closer interaction and friendship between the Cambodian people and the Japanese community at the local level.