Led by Mong Lamy and Teng Chankaruratha, a delegation of 10 Cambodian youths representing several political parties registered with the National Election Committee (NEC), including the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), and one civil society organisation, participated in the JENESYS Cambodia-Japan Young Politics-Oriented Exchange Programme.
They reportedly gained significant benefits from the programme, on politics and democracy in Japan, organised under the coordination of the Japanese embassy in Cambodia.
The initiative was first proposed by Senate president and CPP president Hun Sen and former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe during the Mekong-Japan Summit in October 2018. The latest programme, held from March 16 to 24, provided Cambodian participants with deeper insights into Japan’s electoral processes and national development.
The visit aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of Japan’s democratic system, including the structure of its upper and lower houses of parliament, government institutions and sub-national administration, as well as the full electoral process – from candidate registration and campaigning to voting, ballot transportation, counting and the announcement of results.
Delegates also explored Japan’s culture, traditions, tourism and development.
During the visit, the Cambodian delegation held courtesy meetings with Japanese vice-minister for foreign affairs Ayano Kunimitsu and member of parliament and Cambodia-Japan Friendship Parliamentary League chair Yuko Obuchi, and attended a dinner meeting with vice-minister for foreign affairs Tomoaki Shimada.
The programme also conveyed Japan’s condolences to victims of the recent conflict, along with its continued commitment to supporting refugees, the NEC and the democratic process in Cambodia.
Japanese officials highlighted their country’s longstanding role in promoting and maintaining peace at both regional and global levels, particularly in Cambodia.
The visit further strengthened bilateral ties, fostering closer cooperation between government leaders, parliamentarians and political actors in Japan and Cambodian youth representatives, while promoting the exchange of knowledge and experience in nation-building based on democratic principles.
