President’s visit to Japan: More than 60 documents worth over $3.7bn signed

The Head of State highlighted Japan’s economic achievements, noting that the country consistently remains at the forefront of scientific, technical, and technological progress, as well as the dynamic development of the Central Asian region, which has enormous potential for  comprehensive international cooperation.

The President stated that Kazakhstan is ready to create the necessary conditions and ensure a favorable investment climate for the successful implementation of joint projects with Japan.

In this context, Kassym-Jomaer Tokayev shared his vision of the promising areas of the Kazakh-Japanese cooperation development.

According to him, last year, the volume of mutual trade reached around two billion dollars. Kazakhstan supplies uranium, rare earth metals, and oil to the Japanese market, he said.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that Japan had become one of the main investors in Kazakhstan’s economy, with its total investments exceeding 8.5 billion dollars.

He emphasized that for many years, Kazakhstan had successfully cooperated with leading Japanese corporations and actively supports the activities of Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises in our country.

He expressed confidence that the outcomes of the Central Asia - Japan Business Forum would help intensify B2B contacts and achieve concrete agreements for the implementation of new investment projects.

He reminded that as part of his visit to Japan, more than 60 bilateral documents were signed, including commercial agreements totaling over 3.7 billion dollars.

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.