Background
The Cambodia–Japan cooperation on railways centers on technical studies and capacity-building to restore existing lines and explore urban rail options in Phnom Penh. The initiative includes studies to prioritize restoration of existing rail lines and to assess development of an urban rail transport system in Phnom Penh.
The program scope covers drafting a railway law, defining technical standards, and strengthening MPWT capacity for management, inspection and operational safety. Representatives from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and multiple Japanese rail engineering and operator firms participated in the planning discussions.
Key Developments
On 6 August 2026, State Secretary Kouy Sodany of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport led a remote video discussion with counterparts and technical partners from MLIT, JICA, and Japanese firms including Nippon Koei, JR West, JR-Freight, KRC and KYOSAN. Participants reviewed the results of completed studies and discussed an implementation plan for a new Cambodia–Japan cooperation project focused on rail network restoration, technical standards, and legislative drafting.
The meeting also set out non-financial cooperation measures such as study tours and training in Japan intended to transfer technical knowledge and operational experience to Cambodian rail professionals.
Institutional Role
MPWT is leading coordination of the project within the Cambodian government and has requested continued support from MLIT and JICA to expand cooperation. Japanese government agencies and private-sector rail experts are engaged as technical partners to advise on engineering, operations and regulatory design.
The planned combination of legal drafting, technical standards work and staff training establishes a multi-track approach that links regulatory reform with operational capacity-building for Cambodia’s rail sector.
