#Japan #Tokyo #Smart City #Cambodia #FORVAL

Cambodian Delegation Visits FORVAL Headquarters

In a significant step toward fostering international partnerships, a delegation from the government of Siem Reap Province, Cambodia, led by Deputy Governor Yun Rine, visited the headquarters of FORVAL Co., Ltd., situated in Shibuya, Tokyo. The meeting, which included representatives from the province’s International Cooperation and Public Relations Bureau, was a platform to discuss smart city concepts and collaboration among public, private, and academic sectors.

Background of the Visit

The visit came after the delegation's participation in the 7th High-Level Meeting of the Japan-ASEAN Smart City Network, organized by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Recognizing FORVAL's expertise in ESG management and its successful collaborations with local governments in Japan, the Siem Reap officials selected FORVAL as a key company to consult during their trip.

Exchange of Opinions

The exchange featured key attendees including:

• - From Siem Reap Province Government: Deputy Governor Yun Rine, Meas Piseth, JICA Long-Term Experts Shigeki Miyake and Takuya Akiba.
• - From FORVAL Group: Executive Director Go Tanii, FORVAL Cambodia President Kenkatsu Mizukoshi, Net Resource Management President Masaki Takano, and Elcom Vice President Takeshi Kawarama.

Key Discussion Points:

• - Overview of FORVAL Group's initiatives.
• - Case study on public-private-academic collaborations in Hakodate City presented by Net Resource Management.
• - Ticket vending and entrance management system solutions introduced by Elcom.
• - Open discussion and a commemorative photo session.

Technological Insights

Utilizing AI for Real-Time Tourist Management

Net Resource Management (NRM) showcased its capabilities in addressing urban challenges with technologies proven through its ‘Work Lab Hakodate’ experiments. This involved the application of AI and cameras to visualize real-time congestion in trams and tourist hotspots. By presenting this data, it helped in managing overtourism effectively. The delegation showed great interest, particularly in the introduction of a digital map application for tourists that utilizes real-time data to enhance urban management and facilitate efficient tourist dispersal.

Ticketing and Admission Management for Heritage Conservation

Elcom presented its sophisticated ticketing and admission management systems. This system integrates ticket vending machines with gates, allowing for effective visitor management and timed admissions. Enhanced features include facial recognition technology to prevent misuse of multi-day tickets and the issuance of regional IC cards (local currencies) designed for specific locations or facilities. This innovation is anticipated to aid in controlling visitor numbers at the Angkor Archaeological Park while contributing to data collection and cultural heritage preservation.

Comments from Officials

Deputy Governor Yun Rine expressed gratitude for the opportunity to visit FORVAL's headquarters. He emphasized the strong cooperative and trust-based relationship cultivated between Cambodia and FORVAL. The presentations further deepened his understanding of FORVAL’s capabilities in smart city initiatives, and he looks forward to expanding this collaboration for mutual growth.

JICA Long-Term Expert Takuya Akiba highlighted the importance of private sector involvement, noting that companies like FORVAL play a critical role in advancing Smart City projects. He acknowledged the existing challenges in encouraging private sector engagement in Siem Reap while expressing hope for future joint efforts.

Future Prospects

The discussions between the delegation and FORVAL representatives not only solidified existing partnerships but also established a framework for ongoing collaboration concerning Siem Reap’s aspiration for a smart city. Leveraging FORVAL's experience as a