BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. On December
18-19, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will visit
Tokyo on an official visit. This will be the first visit of a head
of state to Japan since 2016 and an important signal of a new phase
in bilateral relations. Tokayev will also participate in the first
"Central Asia + Japan" summit. Within the frame of the global
“green” transition, reshaping supply chains, and growing attention
to Central Asia, the dialogue between Astana and Tokyo acquires
particular significance.


Japan remains one of Kazakhstan's key economic partners and is
among the top ten largest investors in the country. The total
volume of Japanese investments is estimated at approximately $9
billion. According to the Committee for State Revenues of the
Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan, trade turnover between the two
countries in 2024 amounted to $1.8 billion. Kazakhstan’s export to
Japan reached $506 million, while imports of Japanese products into
Kazakhstan totaled about $1.3 billion.


Kazakhstan mainly exports metals and metal products to Japan,
primarily ferroalloys, which account for over 50% of exports. Other
exported goods include oil, coal, and other types of solid fuel,
chemical industry products, and plant-based goods. In turn, Japan
exports automobiles, trucks, special machinery, medical equipment,
as well as tires and rubber products to Kazakhstan.


Over 60 Japanese companies are registered in Kazakhstan,
operating in oil and gas, petrochemicals, metallurgy, mining,
finance, logistics, telecommunications, medicine, agriculture, and
other sectors. Large Japanese corporations, including Mitsubishi
Corporation, which has been operating in Kazakhstan for over 30
years, are interested in introducing green technologies and new
investment projects.


Astana, for its part, is counting on an influx of Japanese
investments and technologies to develop renewable energy and
modernize infrastructure. Kazakh officials have repeatedly
emphasized the importance of technological partnerships with
Japan.


In August 2025, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Industry and
Infrastructure Development and Japan’s Organization for Metals and
Energy Security (JOGMEC) reached an agreement to further expand
bilateral investment cooperation in areas such as geological
exploration, mining and processing of minerals, technology
transfer, value chain development for mineral resources, investment
opportunities, and professional information exchange.







The visit of Japan’s Foreign Minister, Takeshi Iwai, to Astana
in August 2025 gave an additional boost to bilateral relations.
During a meeting with Japan’s Foreign Minister, then-Deputy Prime
Minister and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu,
particularly emphasized the importance of developing cooperation
within the "Central Asia + Japan" format.


Astana's intensifying cooperation with Japan is occurring
against the backdrop of growing interest in Central Asia from major
global players. The region is attracting attention due to its
resources, investment potential, and its important role in
international logistics. Kazakhstan plays a key role as one of the
main transit countries between Asia and Europe as part of the
Middle Corridor. Japan has expressed interest in supporting
digitalization projects at the Aktau port.


The growing importance of Central Asia is also reflected in the
development of multilateral formats. In June 2025, Astana hosted
the Second "Central Asia - China" summit, while the first summit
between the region and the European Union took place in April. In
October, the second "Central Asia - Russia" summit was held in
Dushanbe, and in early November 2025, the C5+1 summit with the
participation of the United States took place.


The idea of holding the "Central Asia + Japan" summit was first
proposed in 2004, and the summit was initially scheduled for 2024,
but had to be canceled due to the threat of a mega earthquake in
Japan. Finally, the meeting will take place and will be a historic
event: Japan will join countries that have traditionally shown
interest in Central Asia. This will be an important signal that
Tokyo sees the region as a long-term strategic partner.


Overall, the cooperation between Kazakhstan and Japan continues
to evolve, reaching a new level. It covers not only trade and
investment but also long-term partnerships in technology, natural
resources, and sustainable development, making it a significant
element in both regional and global agendas.