Japan maintained its position as Cambodia’s fifth-largest trading partner in 2025. The total value of goods exchanged exceeded $2.5 billion, an increase of nearly 20% over 2024. The majority of Cambodian exports to Japan consisted of textile and agricultural products.
The General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) reported that between January and December, trade amounted to $ 2.53 billion, up 17.1% from the $2.16 billion recorded in 2024.
Exports totalled $1.57 billion, an increase of 11.9%, while imports were $956.23 million, up 27%.
This means Cambodia recorded a trade surplus of approximately $619.87 million with Japan, down from $656.24 million in 2024. Japan is Cambodia’s fifth-largest trading partner, after China, the US, Vietnam and Thailand.
Hong Vanak, an economist at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, noted that the two nations have long maintained strong trade relations, with Japanese products highly favoured by Cambodian consumers due to their quality.
Most Japanese imports are finished products, including automobiles, modern machinery, electronic equipment and various high-tech consumer goods. Exports include textile products like clothing, bags and footwear, as well as electronic/electrical components, furniture, cosmetics and agricultural products.
He added that as Cambodia is a developing country with an increasing number of factories coming into operation, the value of exports from Cambodia to Japan is expected to continue rising further in the future.
“Trade volume between the two countries will continue to grow, especially exports to the Japanese market, as both Cambodia and Japan are members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP),” he said.
RCEP is a free trade agreement comprising 15 member countries, including the 10 ASEAN member states and five ASEAN partner countries: China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
During a January 21 meeting in Tokyo with Takahashi Fumiaki, president of the Japan–Cambodia Association (JCA) and former Japanese ambassador to Cambodia, Cambodian ambassador to Japan Chum Sounry noted that the embassy is always ready to work with the Japan–Cambodia Association to support various initiatives and further strengthen friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation.
He praised the role and pioneering efforts of the Japan–Cambodia Association in promoting and enhancing people-to-people ties and cooperation in the fields of economy, culture, education and society, including during difficult periods in Cambodia’s history.
