Under the banner of "Two Schools, One Future," the Japanese International School of Phnom Penh (JISPP) held a groundbreaking ceremony on September 22 for a groundbreaking new campus in Khan Mean Chey. The facility will mark a global first — housing both a Japanese government-accredited school and an International Baccalaureate (IB) school covering kindergarten through middle school on a single shared campus.

A High-Profile Ceremony

The event was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, with attendance from Mr. Misumi Takahito, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. at the Embassy of Japan, along with representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Cambodia's Japanese community.

The ceremony followed closely on the heels of a visit to Cambodia by Japan's Education Minister Yohei Matsumoto, who reached an agreement with Dr. Hang Chuon Naron just two weeks earlier to strengthen bilateral cooperation in education.

A New Model in International Education

Set to open in August 2027 and situated roughly one kilometre south of AEON Mall Mean Chey, the new campus will expand JISPP's existing early childhood programs up through middle school. It will also serve as the permanent home of the Japanese School of Phnom Penh (JSPP), which holds accreditation from Japan's Ministry of Education (MEXT).

What sets the project apart is its co-location model. Although a handful of accredited Japanese schools overseas share buildings with international institutions, this campus is specifically designed so that students of the same age from both schools can grow up alongside each other in a shared community throughout their school years.

Each school will maintain its own distinct curriculum — Japanese students will follow the MEXT-mandated program while JISPP students will receive an education blending Japanese teaching methods with the IB framework. However, joint extracurricular activities, shared campus events, and everyday social interaction between the two student bodies are being built into the campus design from the ground up.

Campus Design and Facilities

The campus has been planned around the practical needs of young learners, featuring generous play spaces, a football pitch, a swimming pool, sports facilities, and a canteen. Architects have prioritized natural light and natural materials, drawing on Japanese school design principles.

Blending Japanese Strengths with IB Inquiry

JISPP launched in 2024 as a nursery and kindergarten serving children of Cambodian, Japanese, and other nationalities. It is currently an IB candidate school working toward authorisation for the Primary Years Programme.

At the ceremony, Dr. Hang Chuon Naron praised Japan's educational philosophy for going beyond academics to foster discipline, responsibility, cooperation, respect, and community spirit. He also highlighted the IB framework's emphasis on independent thinking, questioning, and problem-solving — competencies he described as essential for the 21st century.

He stressed that bringing two schools with complementary strengths onto one campus creates a powerful opportunity for Cambodian and Japanese children to learn together, build cross-cultural understanding, and form friendships from an early age — relationships that could deepen ties between the two nations for years to come.

JISPP's educational approach encourages children to pursue their own curiosity, make choices, and learn through experience. Beyond academic development, the school cultivates non-cognitive skills such as independence, confidence, perseverance, creativity, and teamwork. In line with Japanese educational traditions, students also participate in daily routines like cleaning classrooms, serving meals, and caring for their belongings — habits that build responsibility and consideration for others.

Outdoor learning plays a central role as well. Students engage with nature, take on age-appropriate challenges, and learn to solve problems through hands-on experience. Combined with Japan's strong foundation in mathematics and science and the IB's inquiry-driven methodology, the goal is to develop children who think independently, collaborate effectively, and approach new challenges with confidence.

"I sincerely hope this new campus becomes a place that brings together Japanese and Cambodian children, and that the students who learn here will grow into bridges of friendship between our two countries," said Mr. Misumi Takahito.

The Japanese School of Phnom Penh's Journey

JSPP first opened its doors on May 31, 2015, welcoming 27 students. It was founded through the combined efforts of the Embassy of Japan, the Japanese Association of Cambodia, the Japanese Business Association in Cambodia, and the broader Japanese community.

Dr. Hang Chuon Naron attended JSPP's original opening ceremony a decade ago and returned to preside over the groundbreaking for the school's future home.

"Having the Japanese School of Phnom Penh share a new campus with JISPP is truly significant. Children from both schools learning together and interacting daily will generate tremendous educational value," said Koji Tezuka, President of the Japanese Association of Cambodia, which governs JSPP.

Book Donation and EdTech Roots

During the ceremony, JISPP and Sunrise Japan Hospital Phnom Penh donated 50 copies of a newly published Khmer-language book on early childhood education to the Ministry of Education. Co-authored by Mr. Watanabe and the hospital, the book provides parents with practical advice rooted in Japanese child development practices. A message from Dr. Hang Chuon Naron is featured on the cover.

JISPP's founding partner, Wonderfy Inc., has been involved in Cambodian education since 2018, when it launched a JICA partnership to improve math and science instruction through its critical-thinking app, Think!Think!.

"Our journey in Cambodia started with a JICA project in 2018. Today we break ground on a campus that will carry these children from kindergarten through middle school. As a bridge between Japan and Cambodia, we are committed to delivering the very best education here," said Kei Kawashima, CEO of Wonderfy Inc.