Planning the Trip

CRC Secretary-General, H.E. Ms. Pum Chantinie, met on Thursday with Mr. Hiroaki Sakai, Secretary-General of the Japanese Red Cross Hiroshima Chapter, at the CRC headquarters in Phnom Penh.

Their discussions focused on the study and exchange program scheduled for December 16–22, 2025. The Japanese delegation will include 15 youth and staff members from Hiroshima, who will visit Siem Reap province and Phnom Penh.

Strengthening Cooperation

H.E. Ms. Pum Chantinie welcomed Mr. Sakai and highlighted how important this visit is, especially since the CRC and the Japanese Red Cross recently signed a five-year agreement (2025–2029). She called the agreement a major milestone for improving cooperation, encouraging youth leadership, and expanding humanitarian work between the two nations.

The program for the Hiroshima youth is designed to be very hands-on, featuring many community activities, such as:

• Environmental awareness and climate action.
• Public health and safety.
• Cultural exchange.

H.E. Ms. Chantinie promised that the CRC would offer its best hospitality to the Japanese delegation. She also plans to meet the visitors in Siem Reap and join them for a tree-planting activity.

Positive First Impressions

Mr. Sakai expressed his sincere thanks for the warm welcome from the Cambodian Red Cross. After arriving and meeting with the CRC Siem Reap Branch, he shared a positive view of the country.

“I was pleased to observe Cambodia’s peace, safety, and welcoming environment—factors I believe will greatly support the forthcoming youth exchange programme,” Mr. Sakai noted.

He also asked the CRC leaders for their continued support in looking after the well-being of the Hiroshima youth throughout their visit.

Mr. Sakai’s Visit

Mr. Sakai arrived in Cambodia on November 18, 2025, landing in Siem Reap. While there, he met with the provincial CRC leaders and visited places prepared for the December program, including the Chong Khneas floating village, the CRC Millennium Park, and guesthouses in the Angkor Thom area. He also toured the famous Angkor Wat Temple complex before heading to Phnom Penh for the high-level meeting.

The post Red Cross Youth Exchange: Cambodian and Japanese Teams Prepare for Visit appeared first on ORKUN SANTEPHEAP.

Understanding the Mission

Mr. HIDEHARU Tachibana, JICA’s Director General, made this statement on November 19th during a visit to the headquarters of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) in Phnom Penh.

He was welcomed by H.E. Heng Ratana, the Director General of CMAC. The visit was part of a trip from Tokyo to fully understand Cambodia’s landmine situation, especially CMAC’s operations to remove mines and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW)—old bombs and ammunition left over from conflict. Japan greatly supports this work through special funding.

CMAC’s Gratitude and Vision

H.E. Heng Ratana warmly thanked JICA for their long-standing partnership, which has been crucial for strengthening Cambodia’s roads and buildings, boosting the economy, and training skilled workers, particularly in the mine-clearing field.

H.E. Heng Ratana expressed a strong hope that Japan’s help will continue to offer long-term benefits to the world. This includes:

• International training programs for mine action.
• Sharing their on-the-ground experience at the Mine Action Technical Institute.
• Sharing lessons about peace at the Peace Museum—a special gift from Japan to Cambodia and the world.

Japan’s Continued Support

In response, Mr. Tachibana praised CMAC, calling it a world leader in mine clearance. He commended CMAC’s dedication to removing mines and ERW to save lives and return safe land so it can be used for community development and growth.

Mr. Tachibana promised JICA’s full and continued support for CMAC. He outlined future plans to:

• Advance mine-clearing technology.
• Introduce new innovations.
• Strengthen regional training and sharing of experience.

This expanded cooperation is set to include new countries like Timor-Leste (ASEAN’s newest member) and several African nations. He also confirmed that Japan will keep supporting the creation of modern technical solutions and demining equipment.

Learning on the Ground

The JICA team’s visit included touring important sites across the country, such as:

• The Techo Peace Museum in Siem Reap.
• Active mine clearance work in the Samlot district of Battambang province.
• The Techo Heritage Development Centre.
• The CMAC Technical Institute in Kampong Chhnang province.

Mr. Tachibana showed great interest in CMAC’s programs that focus on agricultural development on the land after it has been cleared. He described these programs as a vital part of building lasting peace, reducing poverty, and improving life for Cambodian communities.

The post Clearing Landmines for a Better Future: Japan Reaffirms Support for Cambodia appeared first on ORKUN SANTEPHEAP.