BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 9. Kazakhstan and the
delegation of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) discussed
prospects for expanding trade, economic and investment
cooperation.
This was reflected in a statement published by the press service
of the Kazakh government, following the meeting between Prime
Minister Olzhas Bektenov and the delegation led by Takeshi
Hashimoto, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mitsui O.S.K.
Lines,
According to the ministry, the meeting focused on implementing
agreements reached during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's
official visit to Japan in December 2025. During that visit, the
two sides signed 47 commercial agreements worth more than $3.7
billion.
Bektenov described Japan as one of Kazakhstan's key trade and
economic partners in East Asia. Bilateral trade exceeded $1.7
billion last year, while 68 enterprises with Japanese participation
currently operate in Kazakhstan. Japanese companies including
INPEX, Marubeni, Sumitomo and Mitsui are active in the country's
market.
The prime minister said Kazakhstan is interested in deepening
cooperation with Japan in advanced technologies and confirmed the
government's readiness to support new investment projects,
technology transfer and production localization.
''Under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, our
country has entered a stage of large-scale political and economic
reforms. The Constitution adopted through a nationwide referendum
has enshrined the course toward building a Fair and Progressive
Kazakhstan that is open to constructive international partnership.
In this context, cooperation with Japan is of particular importance
to us. We are interested not only in expanding trade and
investment, but also in launching joint projects that will bring
new technologies, modern industries and long-term expertise to our
economy,'' Bektenov said.
In turn, Takeshi Hashimoto said Kazakhstan and Japan have
significant potential to broaden cooperation.
''The pace of Kazakhstan's digital transformation is impressive.
Kazakhstan is a young country that is making remarkable progress in
this direction. There are many young people driving digitalization.
We are interested in continuing cooperation with Kazakhstan in
human capital development, including the training of highly
qualified specialists in IT and digital transformation. Japanese
companies have extensive experience in implementing long-term
infrastructure projects. We see strong potential for cooperation in
developing digital and logistics infrastructure, as well as green
technologies. Japan is ready to offer environmentally friendly
solutions for the mining industry and contribute to Kazakhstan's
sustainable economic development,'' he said.
The parties also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in
transport and logistics, including the development of the Middle
Corridor and Caspian port infrastructure, as well as in energy,
digitalization, artificial intelligence and industrial cooperation.
Kazakhstan expressed interest in joint projects with Japanese
businesses focused on technology transfer, production localization
and creating new drivers of economic growth
