Nagoya: The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, in collaboration with the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Japan, the ESEA working group, the Cambodia-Japan Friendship Association, and the Khmer Student Association in Nagoya, co-organized a significant “Khmer New Year in Japan” event. This celebration of the traditional Cambodian New Year, known as Chaul Chnam Thmey, took place on April 13 at Garden Pier Park in Nagoya City, located in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the event was co-chaired by H.E. Hang Toka, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, and H.E. Tuy Ry, Cambodian Ambassador to Japan. The ceremony was honored by the presence of H.E. Hirosawa Ichiro, Mayor of Nagoya, who served as the guest of honor. Also in attendance were Mr. Tanabe Yuichi, Vice President of the Nagoya City Council, and Mr. Ohtani Kansuke, a former member of the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly.
The event included congratulatory messages from several distinguished guests, including Ms. Katayama Satsuki, Member of the House of Councillors and former Minister in charge of Special Missions, and H.E. Nakano Hiromasa, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, as well as a Member of the House of Representatives.
The celebration attracted nearly 10,000 participants, encompassing Cambodian expatriates, students, trainees, and workers. H.E. Hang Toka expressed his pleasure in attending the event, extending warm greetings on behalf of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, and other senior officials to all Cambodians residing in Japan. He highlighted the recommendation by Samdech Thipadei for the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training to organize more traditional New Year celebrations internationally to promote unity and cultural exchange among Cambodians abroad.
H.E. Tuy Ry, the Cambodian Ambassador to Japan, also shared greetings from Cambodian leaders, including Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate; Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister; and H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Participants expressed deep joy and pride in celebrating their cultural heritage as one Khmer family, despite being far from home, and showed strong support for the continuation of this tradition in future years.