PHNOM PENH: Japan will work with Cambodia to remove landmines from Ukraine and other war-torn countries, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said during a visit to Phnom Penh on Saturday.

Millions of landmines were laid in Cambodia during the nearly three decades of conflict that ended in 1998, with tens of thousands of people killed or maimed over the years.

The Southeast Asian country is widely regarded as a world leader in landmine countermeasures and has been working with Japan to clear the weapons since 1998.

“Cambodia is an essential partner in Japan’s global landmine removal efforts,” Kamikawa said at a press conference. “I am confident Cambodia will contribute greatly to raising awareness of the inhumanity of anti-personnel landmines as a country that suffered from them.”

The minister said Japan would provide Ukraine with a large demining machine next week, and in August would train Ukrainian agencies in Cambodia on how to use the equipment.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2024