Japanese-language education was first introduced to the Royal University of Phnom Penh by a group of voluntary teachers from the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV). Initially, a non-degree course was offered to all students of the university who wished to learn Japanese. In April 1994, the inaugural class of 44 students began studies; this number grew to over 100 by 1998. In accordance, the Royal University of Phnom Penh formally established a Department of Japanese,

which was officially recognised by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports on May 8, 2003. This new department prepared two complete 4-year degree courses, the Bachelor of Education (Japanese Language) and the Bachelor of Arts in Japanese. Both degrees commenced in 2005. In addition to offering degree-level courses, the university’s commitment to foreign language learning has ensured that the Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Centre (CJCC) continues to provide non-degree Japanese language courses for students from other departments.