The Linkage Between Cambodia-Japan Relationship

By Chheang Vannarith

On August 11, 2009, the Toshu Fukami Center for Management and Japan Studies held a public lecture on “Cambodia-Japan Cultural Exchange and Its Implications”. 

This interesting topic attracted more than one hundred participants from government ministries and non-governmental organizations. The lecture informed the public about cultural exchanges between the two countries and its implications on people to people diplomacy. 

Four distinguished panelist including H.R.H. Prince Norodom Sirivudh, H.E. Ambassador Mr. Katsuhiro Shinohara, Ms. Miku Kamimura, and Mr. Chiek Chan Samphors enlightened the audience with comprehensive and analytical presentations on bilateral relationship between Cambodia and Japan. Particularly in Japanese management culture. 

The bilateral relations were recognized by the speakers and participants as a “heart to heart” relationship in which love and trust are the cornerstones. Japanese business management culture is not known in Cambodia. Most of the management textbooks teaching at various universities were written by Western scholars. The textbooks were based on Western experiences, rather than in an Asian context. The Cambodian public is interested in learning more about Japanese management model and this lecture gave them the opportunity to do so.

There were several interesting questions posed relating to the effectiveness of life time employment and seniority which are pillars of the Japanese business model. In addition, whether the Japanese management model is still relevant for the contemporary world of management, is still up for debate.

In the Cambodian context, large parts of Japanese management culture especially trust building and mutual respect among the company staff and between suppliers and clients could be adapted. On the job training is crucial in Japanese companies. Workers are required to move around in the workplace so there abilities keep growing. This system could be very effective with the low educated part of the Cambodian workforce.

As people are the main factor of international relations and people centered regional integration is being promoted, Cambodia-Japan people to people diplomacy is contributing to the realization of an East Asian Community. Japanese business management model, although being challenged by the economic downturn, is important and relevant for management studies in general and management practice in particular. Further lectures on this subject would be a welcome contribution to Cambodian education.