PHNOM PENH: Japan has stepped up diplomatic engagement over the Cambodia–Thailand border situation, warning that sound relations between the two neighbours are vital to the stability and development of the entire Mekong region.
During a visit to Phnom Penh on Feb 25, Japan’s Ambassador for Mekong Cooperation Hayashi Teiji met acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Eat Sophea, as well as Minister of National Defence Tea Seiha, to exchange views on the latest developments along the border.
“During the meetings, Hayashi stated that sound relations between Cambodia and Thailand are the foundation for the stability and development of the entire Mekong region. He expressed the importance of peaceful resolution through dialogue between the two countries,” according to a statement from the embassy of Japan in Phnom Penh.
“He also explained Japan's cooperation and support and conveyed that Japan would further strengthen its cooperation to ease tensions,” it added.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening and deepening the Cambodia–Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
However, the border issue dominated discussions, reflecting growing regional concern over lingering tensions following clashes between Dec 7 and 27 last year.
Sophea briefed the Japanese envoy on recent developments and reiterated Cambodia’s adherence to the ceasefire agreement, underlining Phnom Penh’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
“During the meeting, the acting minister briefed Hayashi on the recent developments regarding the Cambodia-Thailand border situations and underlined Cambodia’s adherence to the ceasefire agreement and commitment to peaceful resolution of the border dispute,” according to the foreign ministry.
The diplomatic outreach comes as humanitarian concerns persist in affected areas.
Japanese embassy councillor Matsuda Junsaku, who joined the visit, said a recent field inspection revealed that hardship remains acute among local residents.
“I discovered that many people are still suffering,” Matsuda said.
“The government of Cambodia is making a lot of efforts for people in this place, arranging food and sanitary systems,” he noted, acknowledging Phnom Penh’s response to displaced communities.
His remarks followed a Feb 23 visit led by Sophea to Chouk Chey, Prey Chan and Boeung Trakoun villages, where Thai military forces have occupied Cambodian territory since the December clashes.
The delegation observed conditions on the ground and met several affected residents.
Matsuda said Japan has already provided humanitarian assistance and is supporting the Asean Observer Teams (AOT), the Asean mechanism deployed to monitor the situation.
He added that Tokyo would continue consultations with Asean member states, including the Philippines, the current chair of the bloc, on ways to strengthen the observer mechanism.
“We believe that the AOT has a crucial role in the resolution of the situation,” he said, noting that Japan would maintain communication with both Cambodia and Thailand to help de-escalate tensions.
Following his Cambodia visit, Hayashi travelled to the Philippines to continue discussions with relevant parties, underscoring Japan’s broader regional diplomacy.
Japan has long positioned itself as a key development partner in the Mekong subregion.
By linking bilateral border stability to the wider future of Mekong cooperation, Tokyo is signalling that unresolved tensions could carry implications beyond the immediate frontier. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
