Kazakhstan interested in Japan’s nuclear waste management projects – President

According to him, Kazakhstan is interested in attraction of Japanese expertise, innovations and investments into the projects aimed at the extraction and processing of traditional energy sources with the application of green technologies.

The President noted that amid geopolitical instability and growing demand in energy, hydrocarbon resources continue to play an important role in ensuring sustainability of the global economy.

“Kazakhstan ranks among the world’s top ten coal-producing countries. Coal accounts for around 70% of Kazakhstan’s energy balance. Therefore, we are counting on the attraction of the most advanced technologies to turn this natural asset into a powerful energy source,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated.

The President also stated Kazakhstan’s interest in Japanese projects of nuclear waste management.

He said that Kazakhstan provides approximately 40% of the world’s nuclear fuel supply. This is extremely important given that nearly 10% of global electricity is generated by nuclear power plants, he stressed.

“The combination of Kazakhstan’s resource potential and Japan’s advanced technologies in the field of nuclear energy opens up favorable opportunities for successful cooperation in this strategically important sector, primarily through the introduction of innovations. Of particular interest are projects in the areas of nuclear waste management, nuclear safety, and the training of highly qualified personnel, including in the field of civil protection,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Recall that the Kazakh President arrived in Japan on an official visit on December 17.

On December 18, President Tokayev held talks with Emperor Naruhito of Japan in Tokyo. The Kazakh President said that the two countries are bound by longstanding friendly relations based on mutual respect and fruitful cooperation across various fields.

On the same day, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited Meiji Jingu Shrine, the largest Shinto shrine in Tokyo, had meetings with the citizens of Kazakhstan currently studying or working in Japan, and with the members of the Japanese Parliamentary League of Friendship with Kazakhstan led by Toshiaki Endo. The Head of State highly appreciated the activity of the League, saying that he viewed it as an important mechanism of strengthening the bilateral cooperation.

Then, the Kazakh leader held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The meeting ended with signing 14 documents.

On Friday, December 19, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike. The two sides discussed cooperation in digitalization, the development of Smart City technologies, artificial intelligence, sustainable urban development, and the introduction of innovative solutions in city management.

Later, in the presence of the Kazakh President, Astana Mayor Zhenis Kassymbek and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the capitals of Kazakhstan and Japan.

The Head of State also had meetings with Shingo Ueno, Representative Director, President and CEO of Sumitomo Corporation, Chairman and CEO of Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, Ichiro Tahakaru, Hiroyuki Ogawa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Komatsu Ltd, as well as President of Hitachi Construction Machinery, Masafumi Senzaki.

The Kazakh President also visited the United Nations University in Tokyo, where he delivered a lecture on the topic “Restoring Strategic Trust in an Era of Turbulence: How Kazakhstan Envisions a Fairer and More Stable World.”

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presented his vision of building a fairer and more stable world amid escalating crises and a serious weakening of multilateral cooperation mechanisms, noting that comprehensive reform of the UN is no longer a rhetorical issue but a common priority and strategic necessity.

The President of Kazakhstan also attended an official reception hosted by the Prime Minister of Japan in honor of the leaders of Central Asian countries.