Kazakhstan and Japan to accelerate preparations for Japan−Central Asia Summit

Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu and his Japanese counterpart Iwaya Takeshi met in Kazakhstan on Aug. 25. They agreed to accelerate preparations for a summit between Japan and the Central Asian countries, as reported by NHK World.

The media outlet noted that this meeting had initially been planned for last August, with then–Prime Minister Kishida Fumio expected to attend. However, it was canceled at the last minute due to a special advisory issued after a major earthquake in Japan.

At the meeting, Iwaya pledged that Japan will provide about $6.8 million in grant aid to supply Kazakhstan with the latest medical equipment. More than 450 nuclear tests were conducted in Kazakhstan during the Soviet era during the Cold War, leaving many residents near the sites still suffering serious health damage.

In turn, Nurtleu highlighted that Japan ranks among Kazakhstan’s top 10 investors, with a cumulative direct investment of around $9 billion. Japanese companies are active in a range of projects across the mining and metallurgy, energy and infrastructure sectors.

According to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, trade turnover between the two countries reached $2 billion in 2024, while it amounted to around $800 million in the first six months of 2025.

Following the talks, the parties signed an agreement on providing a grant for the implementation of the Economic and Social Development Program. At a joint news conference, Iwaya said that Japan will work closely with the Central Asian countries toward the common goal of a nuclear-free world, noting that Japan, as the only country to have experienced atomic bombings, would draw on its expertise.