The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), in co-hosting with the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI), the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), the Water and Sewer Bureau, City of Kitakyushu (WSBCK), the Kitakyushu Overseas Water Business Association (KOWBA), the Cambodian Water Supply Association (CWA), and the Department of Public Works and Transport of Phnom Penh Capital Administration (DPWT/PPCC), held the 18th Japan–Cambodia Water and Sewerage Seminar 2026 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on January 14–15, 2026.
 
   This seminar aims to deepen trust between Japan and Cambodia across both the public and private sectors through exchanges and information sharing in the water supply and sewerage field, as well as through the dissemination of the latest technologies. It also seeks to contribute to the expansion of water and sewerage services in the Kingdom of Cambodia and to create opportunities for Japanese companies to enter overseas water markets.
This year’s seminar was held under the theme “Passing Down and Enhancing Water Supply and Sewerage Technologies that Contribute to Public Health.” The program began with a keynote speech by engineers who played vital roles in achieving the so-called “Miracle of Phnom Penh,” followed by active panel discussions, presentations on capacity-development initiatives in Cambodia, and introductions of the latest technologies by Japanese companies, along with technical and product exhibits.
 
   In his welcome remarks, Mr. Ishii, Director-General for Water Supply and Sewerage at MLIT, emphasized that Japan’s experience and expertise in the development and maintenance of water and sewerage systems can also be effectively applied in Cambodia. During the subsequent panel discussion, participants addressed issues related to human resource development and technology succession in Cambodia’s water and sewerage sector, sharing Japan’s experience and initiatives, and expressing their intention to continue exploring effective approaches going forward.
The program details can be found in the attached file.

Major Participants

• Mr. Hiroyuki Ishii, Deputy Minister for Water Supply and Sewerage, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan
• H.E. Atsushi Ueno, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan
• H.E. Sim Sitha, Secretary of State, Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, Kingdom of Cambodia
• H.E. Roth Vanna, Secretary of State, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Kingdom of Cambodia
• Mr. Tetsuro Eguchi, Deputy Mayor, City of Kitakyushu
• Mr. Yoshitaka Hironaka, Chief Executive, Water and Sewer Bureau, City of Kitakyushu