Japan recognized the independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan on December 28, 1991.
Diplomatic relations were established on January 26, 1992.
Embassy of Japan in Kazakhstan was opened in January 1993.
Embassy of Kazakhstan in Japan was opened in February 1996.
Since December 2024, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Japan is Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev.
Since October 2024, Ambassador of Japan to Kazakhstan is Yasumasa Iijima.
Contacts at the highest level:
In 1994, 1999, 2008, 2016, and 2019 the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, N.Nazarbayev visited Japan.
In 2006, the Prime Minister of Japan, D. Koizumi, and in 2015, the Prime Minister of Japan, Sh.Abe, visited Kazakhstan.
On May 12, 2021, the President of Kazakhstan, K.Tokayev, had a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of Japan, Y.Suga.
On August 9, 2024, the President of Kazakhstan, K.Tokayev, had a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of Japan, F.Kishida.
On 17–19 December 2025, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan,
K.K. Tokayev, paid an official visit to Japan.
On 20 December 2025, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, K. K. Tokayev, took part in the first Summit of the “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue.
Contacts at the high level:
In 2002, the State Secretary – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, K.Tokayev, paid an official visit to Japan.
In 2004, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Y.Kawaguchi, participated in the first Ministerial meeting of the “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue in Astana.
In 2005, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, D.Akhmetov, visited Japan.
In 2009 and 2010, the State Secretary – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, K.Saudabayev, visited Japan.
In 2012, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Y.Idrissov, visited Japan.
In 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Y.Hayashi, visited Kazakhstan.
In 2022, the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, M.Tleuberdi, participated in the state funeral of the former Prime Minister of Japan, Sh.Abe.
In 2022, the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan – Minister of Foreign Affairs, M.Tleuberdi, participated in the 9th Ministerial Meeting of the “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue (Tokyo).
In 2023, the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, M.Nurtleu, held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Y.Kamikawa, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
In 2024, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, N.Nurbaeva, paid a working visit to Tokyo.
In 2024, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, K.Tsuji, visited Almaty on a working visit.
In 2024, the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, M.Nurtleu, had a telephone conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, T.Iwaya.
In 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Minister of Foreign Affairs, M.Nurtleu, paid an official visit to Japan.
In 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, T. Iwaya, paid a reciprocal visit to Kazakhstan.
Cooperation on non-proliferation and disarmament:
Japan co-authored the UN General Assembly resolution on the Semipalatinsk region and initiated the International Conference on the problems of the former Semipalatinsk test site, held in Tokyo in September 1999.
Since March 1998, joint activities have been underway to study the consequences of the nuclear tests on the territory of Kazakhstan. Close contacts have been established between medical and public institutions of Semey, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki cities.
Japan became a co-author of the UN General Assembly resolution declaring August 29 as the International Day Against Nuclear Tests.