Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is embarking on a four-day trip to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia to strengthen partnerships and cooperation in the region. The visit includes Japan’s first-ever summit involving five Central Asian nations, focusing on decarbonization, supply chain strengthening, and human resource development.
Japan has been engaging with the resource-rich Central Asian states since 2004, but the recent conflict in Ukraine has led them to take a cautious stance toward Russia. In contrast, China’s economic influence in the region is growing through its Belt and Road initiative.
Kishida will also hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of the five countries and participate in business forums to encourage private investment. In Mongolia, he will discuss multi-layered cooperation and affirm the special strategic partnership between the two nations, highlighting Mongolia’s role in mediating the abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea in the past.
This trip underscores Japan’s commitment to enhancing cooperation and partnerships in Central Asia amid changing geopolitical dynamics in the region.
© KYODO