Tokyo Supports Cambodia-Thailand Commitment to Lasting Peace

Tokyo Supports Cambodia-Thailand Commitment to Lasting Peace

PHNOM PENH, May 9, 2026 — Japan on Friday welcomed the trilateral meeting held between the Philippines, Cambodia and Thailand during the ASEAN Summit in Cebu, praising renewed commitments by Cambodian and Thai leaders to pursue lasting peace and confidence-building measures.

Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia Ueno Atsushi said Tokyo welcomed the May 7 discussions convened by the Philippines in its role as ASEAN chair.

“I welcome the trilateral meeting held on May 7 between ASEAN chair the Philippines, Cambodia and Thailand in Cebu,” Ueno said in a statement released on Thursday.

He also welcomed what he described as renewed commitments by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul toward lasting peace and future confidence-building efforts.

“I express my respect for the diplomatic efforts of the Philippines as ASEAN chair,” the ambassador added.

The comments came after a trilateral meeting hosted by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Summit amid ongoing tensions between Cambodia and Thailand over disputed border areas and overlapping maritime claims.

Following the talks, Hun Manet said Cambodia and Thailand had reaffirmed a shared commitment to lasting peace and discussed de-escalation measures aimed at restoring normal relations.

“Our discussions focused on de-escalation and confidence-building measures to restore and strengthen the framework for lasting peace,” Hun Manet told reporters after the meeting.

He added that both sides discussed reactivating existing bilateral mechanisms, including the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), General Border Committee (GBC) and Regional Border Committee (RBC).

Thai Prime Minister Anutin also emphasized dialogue and peaceful engagement, saying Thailand and Cambodia should avoid conflict because it would bring “losses and suffering.”

The Cebu meeting marked one of the highest-level diplomatic engagements between the two neighbouring countries since tensions escalated last year following armed clashes and disputes over border and maritime areas.

Japan has maintained close relations with both Cambodia and Thailand and has consistently supported ASEAN-led diplomatic efforts aimed at preserving regional stability and peaceful dispute resolution.