Cambodia and Japan upgraded their relationship to a “strategic partnership” during bilateral talks between Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on Sunday, local and Japanese media have reported.

The leaders were meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo that celebrated 40 years of diplomatic relations.

Japan also announced it will soon send election experts for a “study visit” to assist with electoral reform, state news agency AKP reported.

A memorandum of understanding between the defence ministries of both nations was also signed and according to the Japan Times, Abe pledged more than $133 million in new loans for infrastructural projects.

These projects include improving the stability of the power grid around Phnom Penh, improving irrigation facilities and building a highway linking the capital to Thailand, it reported.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kuoy Kong could not be reached for comment yesterday.