Tokyo, December 20, 2025 – The Europe Today: Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has underscored the growing international role of Central Asia and the depth of Kazakhstan–Japan relations, expressing gratitude to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for initiating and hosting a landmark high-level meeting in Tokyo, according to the Akorda press service.
In his remarks, President Tokayev said the holding of such an important forum in Tokyo was a significant event not only for Kazakhstan but for the entire Central Asian region. He noted the symbolic importance of Japan’s role in launching the “Central Asia–Japan” Dialogue, initiated by former Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi.
“The first meeting at the level of foreign ministers took place in Astana in 2004. This event served as an example for launching similar platforms between Central Asia and other major states,” the Kazakh leader said, adding that such summits contribute to strengthening Central Asia’s international identity and its role in global affairs.
President Tokayev also highlighted the cultural and historical affinity between the Kazakh and Japanese peoples, stressing Kazakhstan’s deep respect for Japan’s history, traditions and philosophy. He noted that Japanese values of harmony, restraint and wisdom resonate strongly with the Kazakh people, recalling Prince Shōtoku’s emphasis on harmony as early as the 7th century and Japan’s current “Reiwa” era, meaning “Beautiful Harmony.” He added that present-day relations trace their roots to the era of the Great Silk Road, which historically connected the two regions.
President Tokayev arrived in Japan on an official visit on December 17. On December 18, he held talks with Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, during which he emphasized that Kazakhstan and Japan are bound by long-standing friendly relations based on mutual respect and productive cooperation across various fields.
On the same day, the Kazakh leader visited the Meiji Jingu Shrine, met with Kazakh citizens studying and working in Japan, and held discussions with members of the Japanese Parliamentary League of Friendship with Kazakhstan, led by Toshiaki Endo. President Tokayev highly praised the League’s activities, describing it as an important mechanism for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Later, President Tokayev held talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, which concluded with the signing of 14 bilateral documents aimed at expanding cooperation.
On Friday, December 19, President Tokayev met with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike. The discussions focused on cooperation in digitalization, smart city technologies, artificial intelligence, sustainable urban development and the introduction of innovative solutions in city management. Subsequently, in the presence of the Kazakh President, Astana Mayor Zhenis Kassymbek and Governor Koike signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the capitals of Kazakhstan and Japan.
During the visit, President Tokayev also met with senior executives of major Japanese corporations, including Shingo Ueno, President and CEO of Sumitomo Corporation; Ichiro Tahakaru, Chairman and CEO of the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security; Hiroyuki Ogawa, Chairman of Komatsu Ltd; and Masafumi Senzaki, President of Hitachi Construction Machinery.
The Kazakh leader further visited the United Nations University in Tokyo, where he delivered a lecture titled “Restoring Strategic Trust in an Era of Turbulence: How Kazakhstan Envisions a Fairer and More Stable World.” In his address, President Tokayev outlined his vision for building a more just and stable international order amid growing global crises and weakening multilateral mechanisms, stressing that comprehensive reform of the United Nations has become a strategic necessity rather than a rhetorical issue.
President Tokayev also attended an official reception hosted by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in honor of the leaders of Central Asian countries, marking the culmination of his official visit to Japan.
