April 29, 2026
PHNOM PENH – Bilateral trade between Cambodia and Japan in the first quarter of 2026 passed $750 million, an increase of nearly 15% over the same period in 2025. Japan remains Cambodia’s fourth-largest international trading partner, after China, the US and Vietnam.
The General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) reported Q1 total trade at $753.46 million, up 14.8% from $656.45 million in 2025. Cambodia exported $487.41 million to Japan, up 13.2%, while importing $266.06 million, up 17.8%.
This generated a trade surplus of $221.35 million in Q1 2026, compared to $204.77 million in the same period of 2025.
Lim Heng, vice-president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC), told The Post that strong relations between the governments and private sectors of both countries have helped boost trade exchanges and Japanese investment in Cambodia. He added that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), of which both countries are members, has also contributed to improving bilateral trade.
He noted that to promote exports from Cambodia to Japan, the CCC has established a representative office in Japan. The office helps promote Cambodian export products and attract Japanese investors to set up businesses or factories in Cambodia for export to Japan and other global markets.
“Given that Cambodia’s production capacity and product quality are increasingly meeting international standards, I am confident that exports to Japan and other global destinations will continue to grow,” he said.
Key Cambodian exports to Japan include garments, footwear, electronic components and agricultural products, while imports include machinery, vehicles, electronics and some food products. Japanese investments in Cambodia span sectors such as agriculture, industry, real estate and banking, according to Lim Heng.
A meeting to further promote bilateral trade and attract more Japanese direct investment was held at the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) headquarters on April 27.
It was chaired by Sun Chanthol, first vice-chairman of the CDC, with the Japanese side led by Akira Yoshimoto, chairman of the Japanese Business Association in Cambodia (JBAC). Also in attendance were representatives from several government institutions and Japanese companies operating in Cambodia.
According to the CDC, the purpose of the meeting was to gather feedback from the private sector and review support measures aimed at improving the efficiency of business operations for companies investing in Cambodia.
Akira noted that the attention and support from the Royal Government through various mechanisms, along with relevant ministries and institutions at all levels, have strengthened optimism and confidence among JBAC members regarding their investments in Cambodia.
In 2025, total trade between Cambodia and Japan reached $2.53 billion, an increase of 17.1% compared to the $2.16 billion recorded in 2024. Cambodia exported $1.57 billion to Japan, up 11.9%, while imports totalled $956.23 million, up 27%, according to GDCE.