I would like to share with you some of the photographs taken during my visit to Cambodia and Malaysia between March 22 and 27, 2023, in my capacity as chairman of The Nippon Foundation, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination and Special Envoy of the Government of Japan for National Reconciliation in Myanmar.
In the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, I met with Prime Minister Hun Sen and other government and military leaders. I also observed firsthand the progress of the educational and health projects the foundation has undertaken for decades in the kingdom.
In Kuala Lumpur, I talked with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim over the phone and congratulated him on assuming the top post in November 2022. He said he regretted being unable to meet me in person this time and said he would like to do so in the near future.
[March 23, Phnom Penh, Cambodia]
Watching the manufacture of artificial limbs at the Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics (CSPO) that the foundation established 30 years ago to train prosthetics and orthotics professionals. A prosthesis is a replacement for a lost limb, while an orthosis is an external device used to support, correct or assist a limb.
With Mr. Carson Harte (left), who initiated CSPO as the Founder Director of Cambodia Trust with the foundation’s financial assistance and is now Chief Executive of Exceed Worldwide, our current partner in charge of the school’s day-to-day operation, and Ms. Sisary Kheng (center), Cambodia Country Director of Exceed.
With trainees sent to CSPO from 28 countries to study the manufacture of advanced prosthetic and orthotic devices. The school uses the latest technology, which is one of the reasons why so many countries send trainees there.
With Mr. Bun Sambo, Secretary of State of the Office of the Council of Ministers, at a Japanese restaurant in Phnom Penh.
I enjoyed eating udon noodles at the Japanese restaurant. One theory has it that udon originated in the old Cambodian capital of Oudong, 40 kilometers northwest of Phnom Penh, hence the name.
