For study and to seek work, for learning and practical training.Cambodians are coming to Japan in variety of ways.

2018 marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations– “65th Year of Japan-Cambodia Friendship”.Over those 65 years the relationship and exchanges have evolved.What are the Cambodians who live in Japan for work or study up to?

We bring you the direct voices of those people, and information regarding their state of affairs.

Numbers of Cambodian International Student in Japan

Cambodian students coming to Japan increasing yearly

According to a survey by JASSO, the number of Cambodian students, as of May 2017 last year, was 846. In the same survey in 2013, the number was 369– a more than doubling in the past five years (see table on right).When it comes to Cambodian students coming to Japan, in the past we

heard about many students receiving the support of the government (tuition fees, living expenses, etc.). Lately however, students are coming via exchange programs through affiliated schools and many other ways such as language study programs.

Students of Dept. Japanese Language at RUPP go to study in Japan

In the 2017-18 year 266 students from the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) studied abroad, and 55 of them to Japan. This was second only to Thailand, and most of them were from the Depat. of Japanese Language. We interviewed the department head, Ms. LOCH Leaksmy. Dept. Japanese Language at RUPP accepts 200 students annually, but the number of applicants is increasing every year. Most apply with the aim of working in a Japanese company. The number of exchange students and language students going to Japan are also increasing. Of course their language skills improve, but the biggest change is in their team work abilities. It seems they learn how to act in a group in Japan, giving them confidence to participate in things such as event management with peers – something they previously were reluctant to do.

I hope students don’t have the goal of Japanese language acquisition, but of using Japanese as a tool to contribute to the development of Cambodia and Japan.

Ms. LOCH Leaksmy