Cambodia Seeks Enhanced Japanese Support for Mine Clearance

PHNOM PENH, Sep 17, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has urged Japan to maintain and expand its backing for mine clearance operations, as the country continues to grapple with the deadly legacy of landmines and unexploded ordnance. Heng Ratana, Director General of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), made the appeal during talks with a three‑member delegation from Japan’s House of Councillors at CMAC headquarters in Phnom Penh on September 16. The delegation was led by Higashino Hideki and included Mikami Eri and Shirakawa Yoko, with representatives from the Japanese Embassy and the Japan International Cooperation Agency also present. Discussions focused on Cambodia–Japan cooperation in mine action, including Japanese‑funded projects supporting CMAC’s clearance of explosive remnants of war. Ratana said the partnership was reducing risks, restoring livelihoods and supporting Cambodia’s socio‑economic development. He called on Japan’s parliament to continue encouraging government assistance across sectors, particularly mine action. Cambodia aims to eliminate the threat of explosive remnants of war by 2035 and has set a broader goal of becoming a developed country by 2050. Ratana also briefed the delegation on contamination from what he described as remnants of war from the 2025 Thai aggression, including cluster munitions. According to CMAC, the contamination has affected about 90,000 families — more than 350,000 people. Officials said the meeting underscored the urgency of clearing contaminated areas to reduce the long‑term humanitarian and economic impact of unexploded weapons.