On February 21, 2006, The Cambodia Japan Cooperation Center (CJCC) celebrated the official opening of its new building on the campus of the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP). Japanese and Cambodian people, students, foreign diplomats alike, joined the celebration in which Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia and His Excellency Takahashi Fumiaki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to The Kingdom of Cambodia delivered speeches, congratulating the Center for its achievements helping to enhance consistent Human Resource Development and to strengthen closer ties between the Japanese and Cambodian people.
Later in the day, the Center was honored to have former Prime Minister of Malaysia, H.E. TUN Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohamad, speak in the newly constructed, multi-purpose hall on the topic of "Nation Building-Malaysia Experience in implementing Look East Policy". Before a packed hall of foreign dignitaries and Khmer and Japanese officials, Dr. Mahathir addressed the issue how Malaysia developed by introducing a "Look East Policy" under his leadership. He explain that his desire to "Look East" for development advice originated from his perception that Japan had unique advice to give regarding development as it had recently, itself, been a developing country, something in which older, western democracies could no longer related to. Mahathir sites the lessons learnt from Japanese as: completed dedication to one's work, being to work early, leaving work late, and unyielding sense of discipline and work ethic. The speech was received with praise and accolades by the audience who were allowed a unique insight into the mind of the architect of one of influential political structures of governance in Asia, today.
Following the speech, Special Forum has been held with the topic of "Look East Policy: possible application for Human Resource Development of Cambodia in Global Economy". From Japan, Prof. Ryokichi HIRONO, SEIKEI University and other four panelists from Cambodia, 1. H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Secretary General of Supreme National Economic Council (SNEC), 2. H.E. Dr. Sorn Samnang, President of Royal Academy of Cambodia, 3. H.E. Dr. Hing Thoraxy, Advisor to Deputy Prime Minister, 4. Mr. Sok Hach Director of Economic Institute of Cambodia.
