Phnom Penh: The Embassy of Japan in Cambodia held the awarding ceremony for SAKANO Issei, who was awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation to acknowledge his contributions to the promotion of friendship between Japan and Cambodia, on Friday, 28 November 2025, at the Residence of the Ambassador of Japan.
Mr. SAKANO Issei, advisor to the Ministry of Justice of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has promoted the international cooperation between Cambodia and Japan, especially in the legal and judicial area. Since 1998, Mr. SAKANO has been actively involved in JICA’s legal and judicial development project in Cambodia.
As a long-term expert of JICA, Mr. SAKANO had been dedicated to assisting in drafting important laws such as the Civil Code and Civil Procedure Code as well as judicial human resources development in Cambodia for over 10 years.
Ambassador UENO Atsushi, Ambassador of Japan to Cambodia, also mentioned Sakano’s efforts to deepen understanding between Japan and Cambodia through lectures at Japanese universities on Cambodia’s legal system and his experience supporting judicial development. He further highlighted Sakano’s cultural contributions as a pianist and leader of the Phnom Penh Singers, which performed at the awarding ceremony.
Since 2018, Mr. SAKANO has been serving in his current position and involved in drafting various laws, contributing to further promotion of international cooperation and mutual understanding between the two countries in the area.
“Mr. Sakano’s achievements in Cambodia symbolize Japan’s support for Cambodia’s nation-building. His contributions go beyond the legal and judicial sectors; he is playing an important role in strengthening overall bilateral relations as well,” UENO Atsushi said. “Noting that Japan’s legal cooperation with Cambodia now spans more than 25 years,” the ambassador added.
Foreign Minister’s Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in international fields to acknowledge their contributions to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries and areas.
Photo by: Supplied & Engly Tuy
