Phnom Penh: The Reunite Cambodian Alumni Association of the National Defence Academy of Japan (NDA) was officially launched here on June 24. The event was hosted by Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. UENO Atsushi, with participation from H.E. Gen. Phuong Siphan, Secretary of State of the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence, other ministry leaders, and H.E. Gen. MORISHITA Yasunori, Chief of Staff of the Ground Self-Defence Force of Japan, along with Cambodian alumni who graduated from the NDA.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, H.E. Ambassador UENO expressed confidence that the launch of the Reunite Cambodian Alumni Association of the NDA will deepen ties among the Japanese Embassy, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, the Ministry of National Defence, and all former Cambodian students of the NDA. He anticipated that defence cooperation between Japan and Cambodia would further develop. The Japanese Embassy has pledged full support for the association's activities, including hosting regular reunions to maintain and strengthen alumni connections.
H.E. UENO Atsushi also recalled the visit of former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, H.E. Tea Banh, to Japan in November 2000. Following this visit, the Defence Agency of Japan agreed to accept Cambodian students at the NDA, with the first admissions to the undergraduate faculties beginning in 2004. By March 2025, 28 Cambodian students are expected to have graduated from the NDA.
The Ambassador praised the capabilities and talents of the Cambodian graduates from the NDA, noting their significant roles in the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the Ministry of National Defence upon their return to Cambodia. These alumni are active in various fields, including promoting defense exchange between Japan and Cambodia. He concluded with optimism for the future of defense cooperation between the two countries, bolstered by the launch of the alumni association.