The Japanese government hopes Cambodia's three parties will form a coalition for greater stability in the Southeast Asian nation, Foreign Ministry spokesman Sadaaki Numata said Wednesday.
Welcoming the announcement of the results of Cambodia's July 26 general election, Numata said in a statement that Japan recognizes the election was held freely and fairly. The Cambodian People's Party under government leader Hun Sen won the election but did not gain enough seats to secure a majority.
Prince Norodom Ranariddh's FUNCINPEC party and the party of Sam Rainsy, the former finance minister, also secured seats. Ranariddh and Rainsy have charged that the CPP won the election through widespread fraud and said they will block formation of a new government unless their complaints are addressed.