On the other hand, Japan upholds a longstanding position that China may find it hard to replace when it comes to Cambodia. Analysts said Japan’s preference for backstage diplomacy and avoidance of public criticism is aligned with the Cambodian government.

But the calls for Japan to change its approach have not ceased.

In March Human Rights Watch and Japanese advocate Teppei Kasai wrote a commentary urging Japan to “stop acting like China” in response to Cambodia’s crackdowns.

“Japan is fighting a losing battle for HE’s support. Japan can’t outspend China or deliver sweetheart contracts to Cambodia, yet its overt and clumsy attempts to ingratiate itself have led to a backlash among Cambodian activists, who see Tokyo selling out democracy and human rights to maintain a friendship with a dictator,” they added.

Neither the Chinese nor Japanese embassies in Phnom Penh responded to VOA’s request for comment.

In Cambodia, however, Japan has outperformed China when it comes to trust and confidence, Vannarith added.

“Though China is leading when it comes to aid and investment, China will find it hard to win the hearts and minds of Cambodian people, which is categorized as the most important long-term [factor for] competition."

The Seattle-based expert Jensen Murg said that Cambodia had to pay less political costs when it came to Japanese aid.