In a significant address at the 31st Nikkei Forum in Tokyo on June 11, Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol expressed profound gratitude to Japan for its consistent support in Cambodia’s multifaceted development across various sectors. During his keynote speech, the First Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), representing the Head of Government, underscored Cambodia’s remarkable and rapid advancement in manufacturing car tires and, particularly, automotive parts. He highlighted that the Japanese market stands as the premier destination for these burgeoning exports.
Elaborating on Cambodia’s economic trajectory, Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol affirmed that in the first quarter of 2026, the country’s exports of car tires and automotive parts collectively reached an impressive total of $580 million. He emphasized that this robust performance signifies Cambodia’s swift transition towards developing high value-added industries. Specifically, exports of automotive components witnessed a surge of over 30 percent, with Japan consistently holding its position as Cambodia’s largest export market for these products.
This industrial transformation builds upon earlier strides. In April 2025, Prime Minister Hun Manet, speaking at the inauguration of a Ford car assembly plant in Pursat province, remarked on Cambodia’s profound evolution. He noted the nation’s journey from once importing even basic items like bottled soft drinks to establishing nine car assembly plants within its borders. Of these nine facilities, six are strategically located within Special Economic Zones, underlining a focused approach to industrial growth.
Further demonstrating Cambodia’s commitment to regional economic resilience and prosperity, Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol also participated in ‘The Future of Asia’ forum, held under the theme ‘Building a more resilient and prosperous Asia together.’ At this forum, the First Vice-Chairman of the CDC revealed that Cambodia has approved an extensive portfolio of investment projects, totaling 630 initiatives valued at over $10 billion. More recently, in the first quarter of this year (2026), 146 new projects, collectively worth approximately $2.5 billion, received approval, signaling sustained investor confidence.
Throughout his address, Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol reiterated Cambodia’s strategic vision and unwavering commitment to fostering stability and economic growth within the region. He emphasized Cambodia’s proactive role in building a resilient Asia and attributed much of the country’s progress to the enduring strategic partnership with Japan. The forum, attended by top leaders and senior officials from across the Asia-Pacific region, served as a platform to affirm these strong bilateral ties.
Currently, Japan ranks as Cambodia’s fourth-largest trading partner. Data from the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia indicates that bilateral trade between Cambodia and Japan from January to May 2025 reached approximately $1.2 billion, marking a significant increase of 17.2 percent compared to the same period in 2024. During this period, Cambodia’s exports to Japan amounted to $766 million, showing a robust 20.6 percent growth, while imports from Japan stood at $434 million, an increase of 11.8 percent. Beyond trade, Japan also remains one of Cambodia’s top ten leading investment partners, further solidifying its critical role in the Cambodian economy.
