May 24, 2002

Your Excellency Samdech Chea Sim, the High Representative of His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk and the President of the Senate
Your Royal Highnesses
Your Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my great pleasure and honour to have so many guests tonight from Cambodia, Japan, the Japanese community and the diplomatic corps in Cambodia at this ceremony to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Embassy of Japan in Cambodia since its reopening in 1992 and also to celebrate the inauguration of our new Embassy building. On behalf of the Embassy, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation for your presence this evening.

While Cambodia experienced unprecedented hardship in the 1970s, we were also forced to close the Embassy in 1975. In March 1992, when Cambodia had overcome one of the most horrific tragedies in world history and began to rebuild its nation, the Japanese Embassy reopened in Phnom Penh. Since the Embassy's opening, the Japanese Embassy has assisted with the efforts of the Royal Government of Cambodia and its people, to reconstruct the nation. Here with us tonight is His Excellency Mr. Yukio IMAGAWA, who served in Cambodia from 1992 to 1996 as the first Ambassador of Japan since the civil war. He will give a lecture about his reflections on these past ten years.

Cambodia has made remarkable developments in the last ten years. Due to strong endeavors by the Royal Government of Cambodia and its people, this nation has enjoyed renewed peace and stability. Under this favorable environment, the Japanese government not only cooperates with Cambodia as a partner for the reconstruction and development, but also seeks to further strengthen the ties of friendships which we call in Japanese "Kizuna" with the Cambodian people. From this point of view, the Embassy of Japan has decided to hold a Japan-Cambodia Cultural Exchange Festival which will start tomorrow.

Throughout the next two weeks, I would like all of you to enjoy such events as: performances of Japanese traditional music, a Japanese film festival, a series of lectures on subjects which are of interest to Cambodian people, and a Roam Vong Dance festival which will be for the enjoyment of both Japanese and Cambodian people. Tonight is the eve of these events.

On the occasion of the 10th commemorative anniversary of our Embassy, I am very happy to announce the opening of our new Embassy building. Cambodia is expected to experience further development and prosperity in the coming ten years. For that purpose, both our Embassy staff and the Japanese government are determined and willing to further strengthen the cooperation with Cambodia under the concept of "acting together, advancing together."

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude again to you all for joining us to night. I would like to conclude my speech by asking for your continuous guidance, support and friendship to us all.

Thank you!