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Tengrinews.kz — Ruslan Zheldibay, Assistant and Press Secretary to the President of Kazakhstan, summed up the results of the Head of State’s official visit to Japan.
As Zheldibay noted on his Telegram channel, the President’s official visit to Japan was “intense and productive.”
“Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a series of fruitful talks with the country’s top leadership, senior executives of leading companies, as well as compatriots working and studying in the Land of the Rising Sun,” he wrote.
The Assistant and Press Secretary then outlined the main outcomes of the visit. Below is the text of his post.
Attracting investors to Kazakhstan’s economy
The President met with the heads of major Japanese companies and organizations, including the multinational trading company Mitsui, the international technology conglomerate Rakuten Group, the trading and investment corporation Sumitomo, one of the world’s largest machinery manufacturers Komatsu, the leading producer of construction and mining equipment Hitachi Construction Machinery, as well as the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security.
Photo by the press service of Akorda
The talks discussed prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as:
- development of nuclear medicine;
- exploration of critical minerals;
- logistics and digitalization;
- adoption of green technologies;
- production and maintenance of construction and mining equipment.
High-level meetings
A special protocol gesture underscoring the Head of State’s high international standing was the holding of two official receptions in one day-hosted on behalf of Emperor Naruhito and Japan’s Prime Minister. In Japanese diplomatic practice, combining these formats is rare and is regarded as a sign of exceptional respect.
Photo by the press service of Akorda
A meeting also took place between the President and the Governor of Tokyo, during which the parties discussed the development of Smart City technologies and the introduction of innovative solutions in urban governance. The delegations signed a memorandum of understanding between the capitals of Kazakhstan and Japan.
Another sign of special respect for the Head of State was an invitation to deliver a lecture at the United Nations University in Tokyo.
Photo by the press service of Akorda
In his speech, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed key issues of modern geopolitics, the role of middle powers in international affairs, the growing importance of artificial intelligence, and the need to reform the United Nations.
Tokayev also focused separately on water resources management. To tackle these challenges, he proposed establishing the UN Water International Organization and opening a regional branch of the United Nations University in Almaty.
In addition, an informal meeting with former Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi took place at the United Nations University.
The President also paid attention to Kazakhstanis working in Japan. For this purpose, a separate standing-format meeting was organized as a conversation.
Photo by the press service of Akorda
On the final day of the visit, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, together with the leaders of Central Asian countries, took part in the first “Central Asia–Japan” summit.
In his remarks, the President outlined priority areas for mutually beneficial cooperation, noting in particular that Kazakhstan:
- is ready to create the necessary conditions and ensure a favorable investment climate for the successful implementation of joint projects with Japan;
- welcomes the Japanese government’s decision to participate in improving customs procedures at the port of Aktau;
- is interested in attracting Japanese expertise, innovation, and investment into projects for the extraction and processing of traditional energy resources using green technologies;
- welcomes the Next-Generation SmartMining Plus project launched jointly with Japan, aimed at digitalizing production processes and increasing environmental sustainability in the extraction of rare earth elements and other critical minerals.
Photo by the press service of Akorda
In addition, Tokayev proposed creating a joint research platform in sustainable agriculture involving Japanese scientists and relevant experts, as well as opening branches of Japanese universities and educational centers in Kazakhstan.
The President highly praised the contribution of the JICA agency to solving water problems in Central Asia and called for joint efforts in this area. He proposed a more active exchange of experience in implementing water-saving technologies, conducting joint research, and developing automation and digitalization in the water sector.
Photo by the press service of Akorda
The Head of State also put forward an initiative for cooperation in nuclear energy. Given that Kazakhstan is one of the leading suppliers of nuclear fuel on the global market, combining Kazakhstan’s potential with Japan’s advanced technologies could provide a basis for successful consolidation of efforts.
A key practical outcome of the official visit was the signing of more than 60 bilateral documents totaling over $3.7 billion.
“It is important to note that every foreign visit by the President brings tangible benefits to Kazakhstan’s economy. Behind each such trip are agreements and decisions that attract enormous foreign investment worth billions of dollars. This helps increase trade turnover and exports, which is especially important for our producers. In addition, thanks to these visits, strategically significant facilities are opened, creating tens of thousands of jobs, business cooperation is strengthened, the list of visa-free countries is expanded, and new air routes are launched for Kazakhstan’s citizens,” Ruslan Zheldibay concluded.
