Tokyo, October 19, 2026 - A conference was held in Tokyo on strengthening transport connectivity between Japan, Central Asia and the Caucasus through the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (hereinafter referred to as the TITR) and the launch of a direct air service between Tokyo and Almaty. The event, aimed at attracting Japanese investment in the TITR’s infrastructure, brought together approximately 100 participants, including representatives of relevant government ministries, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Business Association ROTOBO, and Japan’s logistics sector.
Ambassadors of Kazakhstan, Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev, and Azerbaijan, Farid Talibov, presented their respective countries’ transport development strategies, highlighting efforts to improve the efficiency of logistics chains and expand international transport cooperation. In his remarks, Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev highlighted the official commissioning of the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Communication Line in Baku on October 15, 2026, in the presence of Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Ilham Aliyev. The project is expected to expand international data exchange capacity and enhance the resilience of digital communications.
Japan’s State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Kei Takagi, emphasized the strategic importance of the TITR for Tokyo in the context of diversifying international transport and logistics routes. He noted that the development of the Middle Corridor offers additional opportunities to strengthen Japan’s trade and economic ties with the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Mieko Koyanagi, Director of the International Logistics Office at Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), briefed participants on the results of trial shipments conducted by Japanese companies along the Middle Corridor. These trials made it possible to analyze key parameters of the route, including delivery times and costs, the specifics of customs clearance procedures, and the quality of transport and logistics services. Particular attention was given to Japan’s support for improving the efficiency of customs administration at the Port of Aktau. The project, valued at up to JPY 719 million, includes the installation of a fixed, large-scale X-ray scanning system at the port, which is expected to reduce cargo inspection times by a factor of three.
As part of the event, Adel Dauletbek, Air Astana’s Senior Regional Manager for the Republic of Korea and Japan, provided an overview of prospects for strengthening transport connectivity in light of the planned launch of direct scheduled flights between Almaty and Tokyo’s Narita Airport in December, 2026.
Tokyo, October 8, 2026 – Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Japan Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev met with Kenichiro Hayashi, President of the Japan Institute for Overseas Investment.
The Kazakhstan’s diplomat briefed his counterpart on the key elements of the Investment Policy Concept of the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2030, paying special attention to tax incentives, subsidies, and state guarantees protecting foreign investors' rights. He also highlighted the National Digital Investment Platform, which operates on a "one-stop shop" principle to maximize the simplification of investment procedures.
Furthermore, the parties discussed current operations and prospects for expanding the presence of Japanese companies in Kazakhstan, reviewing opportunities for investment projects in such priority sectors as digital infrastructure, critical minerals, transport, logistics, and downstream agricultural processing.
In this regard, the Ambassador Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev proposed intensifying the joint search for promising niches to localize manufacturing in Kazakhstan, followed by the transfer of high technologies from Japan. For his part, President Kenichiro Hayashi expressed readiness to facilitate a deeper analysis of Kazakhstan's investment opportunities and provide information support to Japanese investors.
Particular attention during the meeting was paid to the upcoming Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR-2026), themed "From Stability to Growth: Kazakhstan's New Investment Cycle." Ambassador Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev invited member companies of the Japan Institute for Overseas Investment to participate in the event, emphasizing that the forum will serve as an effective platform for presenting specific projects, as well as establishing direct contacts with Kazakhstan businesses and state development institutions.
For reference: The Japan Institute for Overseas Investment (JOI) was established in 1991 to facilitate the entry of Japanese companies into international markets and to strengthen economic cooperation between Japan and foreign nations. The organization brings together industrial corporations, trading houses, financial institutions, and law firms. Its membership includes state-backed support institutions such as JBIC, JOIN, and JICT, as well as major global corporations including Mitsubishi, Mitsui & Co., Sumitomo, and ITOCHU.
Tokyo, October 1, 2026 — Ambassador Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev met with Shunichi Suzuki, Secretary-General of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Kazakhstan’s diplomat briefed his interlocutor on the key priorities of the unicameral Kurultai, including efforts to improve the legislative process and strengthen parliamentary oversight of the executive branch. The Japanese politician was also informed about the current bilateral cooperation agenda and the implementation of agreements reached following the visit of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Japan in December 2025.
For his part, Mr. Suzuki conveyed a letter addressed to Aibek Dadebay, Chairman of the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan and leader of the Adilet Party, congratulating him on the party’s victory in the elections held on August 23 this year. In the message, the Japanese side noted that the high voter turnout in the Kurultai elections demonstrated strong public interest in the country’s ongoing institutional reforms and reflected the high expectations of Kazakhstan’s society.
Mr. Suzuki stated that Japan is closely following the reforms being implemented in Kazakhstan and confirmed his readiness to establish an inter-party dialogue between the Adilet Party and the Liberal Democratic Party, Japan’s leading political force. According to him, Tokyo views Kazakhstan as an important partner in ensuring energy security amid persistent global economic turbulence.
For reference: Led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party holds more than 400 seats in the country’s bicameral Parliament. Within the LDP’s hierarchy, the Secretary-General is considered the party’s second-ranking official and plays a central role in managing its internal organization, finances, and party discipline.
Tokyo, September 24, 2026 – Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Japan Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev met with Yoshinori Kanehana, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Chairman of the Japan Business Association ROTOBO.
The parties discussed the agenda for the upcoming 9th joint meeting of the KazakhstanJapan Joint Commission of Government and Private Sectors on Economic Cooperation, scheduled to take place in December 2026 in Astana. Around 150 prominent representatives of Japanese big business are expected to participate, representing such key sectors as energy, machinery, transport, logistics, mining, construction, and finance.
The event will focus on strengthening the strategic economic partnership between Japan and Kazakhstan, with particular emphasis on the development of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, promotion of green transformation, deepening cooperation in the financial sector, and enhancing supply chain resilience. ROTOBO coordinates the participation of Japanese business representatives in the commission's work, serving as the secretariat for the Japan-Kazakhstan Economic Committee.
The upcoming Joint Commission meeting aims to implement the agreements reached during the official visit of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Japan in December 2025.
During the meeting, Ambassador Baudarbek-Kozhatayev highlighted Kazakhstan's interest in strengthening its long-term technological partnership with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, including joint project execution and the localization of advanced technological solutions. The Kazakhstan side presented investment proposals for establishing automated warehousing and fulfillment complexes integrated with robotic systems, modern operations management technologies, and smart logistics solutions. In addition, investment projects were presented in hydrogen energy, industrial automation, transport-logistics and urban infrastructure development, including the flagship tech hub project, Alatau City.
For his part, Yoshinori Kanehana, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, confirmed the corporation’s strong interest in implementing projects in Kazakhstan, identifying the petrochemical industry and energy machinery as priority vectors for cooperation. Furthermore, the head of the Japanese corporation emphasized that amidst growing volatility in global markets, Kazakhstan is viewed by the Japanese business community as a strategically important and reliable supplier of critical minerals.
Reference: Kawasaki Heavy Industries is a major Japanese industrial and engineering corporation operating in energy, transport, aerospace, shipbuilding, industrial equipment, robotics, and infrastructure. As one of the global technological leaders in liquefied hydrogen, Kawasaki Heavy Industries developed and built the world's first liquefied hydrogen carrier (Suiso Frontier) and commissioned the world's first dedicated liquefied hydrogen receiving terminal.
Japan Business Association ROTOBO serves as a key institution promoting trade and investment ties between Japan and Eurasian countries. The organization provides comprehensive information and practical support to businesses, conducts analytical research, organizes business missions and forums, and serves as the secretariat for the bilateral economic committee between Kazakhstan and Japan.
Tokyo, September 11, 2026 - Ambassador Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev held a meeting with Dr. Nobumasa Akiyama, Director of the Center for Disarmament, Science and Technology (CDAST).
Dr. Akiyama emphasized the importance of strengthening practical cooperation between the two countries with a view to contributing to the establishment of a world free of nuclear weapons. In this regard, it was noted that the Center plays an active role in preparing the annual Hiroshima Report, which focuses on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation issues. Kazakhstan has traditionally ranked highly in the Japanese assessment across key aspects of nuclear security.
Ambassador Baudarbek-Kozhatayev highlighted the particular significance of the commemorative milestones being marked this year - the 35th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site and the 20th anniversary of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia. The Japanese side was presented with the relevant statements by the Foreign Ministers of the Central Asian countries, as well as by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).
During the discussion of the initiative of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to establish an International Agency for Biological Safety (IABS), Dr. Akiyama underscored the importance of collective efforts to strengthen the international security architecture and enhance mechanisms for addressing biological threats, including emerging pandemics.
The sides also discussed promising areas of bilateral cooperation in the fields of disarmament, non-proliferation, international humanitarian law, the responsible use of artificial intelligence, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including within various international organizations.
Recognizing the importance of the existing ties between the cities of Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Semey, the sides agreed on the importance of expanding exchanges between research institutions and civil society organizations in the two countries working on the effects of nuclear testing on people and the environment.
Background: The Center for Disarmament, Science and Technology (CDAST) was established in 1996. The Center conducts research in the fields of disarmament, non-proliferation and global security; promotes the development of mechanisms for implementing the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT); provides professional training; and implements international exchange programs.
Tokyo, September 8, 2026 - A signing ceremony for an agreement to establish a joint venture between the Kazakhstani company “Shin-Line” and the Japanese company “Shigemitsu Industry”, which specializes in food production and restaurant business development, was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Japan.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Kazakhstani side by Andrey Shin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of “Shin-Line”, and on behalf of the Japanese side by Katsuaki Shigemitsu, President of “Shigemitsu Industry”.
The alliance is aimed at developing the well-known Japanese brand AJISEN RAMEN in Kazakhstan and subsequently expanding it into the markets of countries across the region. A key area of cooperation will be the phased localization of “Shigemitsu Industry”’s production in the Republic of Kazakhstan, using advanced Japanese technologies and production standards while taking HALAL requirements into account. At the first stage, the parties plan to establish a centralized production facility at the “Shin-Line” site in Baiserke village, Almaty Region, and open the brand’s first flagship restaurant in Almaty.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Yerlan Baudarbеk-Kozhataev noted that the project represents a practical result of the expansion of Kazakh-Japan economic cooperation in non-resource sectors. In his view, the launch of the enterprise will contribute to attracting Japanese technologies and management expertise, developing the food industry, and creating new jobs.
In the future, the parties plan to expand the network across Central Asian countries and, in the longer term, are considering entering the markets of the EAEU, the Caucasus and Eastern Europe. Localizing production in Kazakhstan will create opportunities to supply both the domestic market and potential network outlets in neighboring countries.
For the Japanese side, the project offers wide opportunities to promote the brand in the Central Asian region and to use Kazakhstan as a key production and logistics hub.
Background: Shigemitsu Industry traces its history back to 1968 and has extensive experience in food production and the restaurant business. The company is engaged in international franchising, food production, personnel training, and the development of new products.
Tokyo, September 7, 2026 - Ambassador Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev held a meeting with Kenji Ozeki, Director of the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management.
Mr. Ozeki noted that the Institute, founded in 1979 by the renowned Japanese entrepreneur and founder of Panasonic Corporation, Konosuke Matsushita, specializes in nurturing future leaders and developing human capital for public service, politics, business, and the broader social sector. It was particularly noted that among the Institute’s distinguished alumni is Japan’s current Prime Minister and President of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Sanae Takaichi.
During the meeting, the sides discussed prospects for expanding academic, intellectual, and expert exchanges between Kazakhstan and Japan, including in the areas of public policy and international relations. They emphasized the important role of such exchanges in further strengthening the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
In his turn, Ambassador briefed the Institute’s leadership on the key outcomes of the political and socio-economic reforms being implemented in Kazakhstan, as well as on the country’s role in advancing international cooperation on pressing global issues. Particular attention was given to Kazakhstan’s initiatives as a “middle power” capable of serving as a platform for dialogue and the pursuit of mutually acceptable solutions to issues on the international agenda.
Mr. Ozeki expressed the Institute’s interest in expanding engagement with Kazakhstan. In particular, the Institute’s leadership and participants intend to visit various regions of Kazakhstan in November 2026 to gain first-hand insight into the progress and outcomes of the reforms being implemented in the country, as well as to explore opportunities for further developing bilateral ties. The visit is expected to include meetings with representatives of Kazakhstan’s government bodies, business community, academia, and civil society organizations.
Following the meeting, the sides agreed to organize a special lecture by the Ambassador for the Institute’s faculty and students as part of preparations for the upcoming visit to Kazakhstan.
Background: The Matsushita Institute of Government and Management differs from a conventional institution of higher education. Its primary focus is on the rigorous selection of talented young Japanese people and the development of their practical skills and knowledge in such areas as national and regional governance, social policy, and business. The Institute’s alumni include members of the Government, Members of the National Diet, public figures, regional leaders, and executives of major corporations.
Tokyo, September 2, 2026 - Ambassador Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev held talks with Shigeru Ishiba, Chair of the Japan Parliamentary League on Humanitarian Diplomacy and former Prime Minister of Japan.
Mr. Ishiba noted that, during his tenure as Prime Minister, he had attached particular importance to strengthening Kazakhstan-Japan relations. In this context, he recalled that he had conveyed his vision for further developing bilateral cooperation and engagement within the framework of the “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue in a personal letter addressed to President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev last year.
The two sides discussed progress in implementing the agreements reached at the highest level following the first official visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Tokyo and his participation in the first “Central Asia + Japan” Summit in December 2025. The importance of further strengthening political and interparliamentary exchanges, as well as exploring new promising areas of economic cooperation, was emphasized.
A separate part of the talks focused on international security, sustainable development, and the rule of law. Mr. Ishiba highly commended Kazakhstan’s consistent position on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, underscoring the country’s important role in advancing global security.
Significant potential for expanded cooperation was identified in the areas of climate change, disaster risk prevention and reduction, water security, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Mr. Ishiba paid particular attention to Kazakhstan’s environmental and water-related challenges, expressing interest in the current state of the Aral Sea and Kazakhstan’s glaciers. In turn, Ambassador Baudarbek-Kozhatayev presented the green initiatives of the President of Kazakhstan, including the proposal to establish an International Water Organization.
During the meeting, the Ambassador also briefed his interlocutor in detail on the results of the elections to the Kurultai of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the country’s ongoing political reforms.
Tokyo, July 31, 2026 – Ambassador Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev met with Yutaka Hosomi, Secretary General of the Japan Water Forum, to discuss current challenges on the global water agenda.
Ambassador presented the initiative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to establish an International Water Organization under the auspices of the United Nations.
The parties exchanged views on the role and functions of the proposed international platform, which is intended to enhance the effectiveness of global water governance, strengthen coordination among existing international mechanisms, and serve as an open platform for inclusive dialogue and collaborative solutions to global water challenges.
Mr. Hosomi highly commended Kazakhstan’s water diplomacy initiatives, highlighting their timeliness, relevance, and international significance. He stressed that today’s water challenges require a comprehensive approach, given their close interlinkages with climate change, sustainable economic development, and international security.
He also expressed Japan’s interest in further expanding cooperation with Kazakhstan on water-related issues, including sustainable water resources management, strengthening water security, and fostering cooperation among relevant public organizations and research institutions of Kazakhstan and Japan.
The meeting took place within the framework of Japan Water Week, a series of events organized by the Government of Japan to promote international cooperation on water resources and address global water challenges. During the international symposium “Thinking Future of Water,” Ambassador Baudarbek-Kozhatayev presented Kazakhstan’s perspective on water challenges in Central Asia and the country’s initiatives to address regional water issues to heads of international organizations and senior government officials, including Asian Development Bank President Masato Kanda, Japan’s Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for the UN Water Conference Yoko Kamikawa, Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Yasushi Kaneko, and Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam.
Background: The Japan Water Forum brings together around 100 leading Japanese organizations working in the fields of water policy, water resource management, and sustainable development. The Forum serves as the secretariat of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum and the Asia-Pacific Water Summit.
REGULATIONS International Art Competition “Kazakhstan Through My Eyes”
“Kazakhstan Through My Eyes” is an online art competition for ethnic Kazakh children living abroad.
The competition aims to encourage participants to creatively express their vision of Kazakhstan, their love for their homeland, its historical and cultural heritage, natural beauty, national values, and aspirations for the future.
The main objectives of the competition are:
III. Artwork Requirements
The extent to which the artwork fully and meaningfully reflects the theme “Kazakhstan Through My Eyes.”
The originality of the idea, imagination, and creative approach demonstrated by the participant.
The quality of drawing technique, composition, color harmony, proportions, and overall execution.
The effectiveness of depicting Kazakhstan’s culture, history, nature, and national values.
The artwork’s ability to convey the author’s thoughts and emotions and to engage the viewer.
Creative works will be accepted from June 17 to August 28, 2026.
The jury will determine the winners within 30 calendar days after the submission deadline.
Based on the jury’s decision, 10 winners will be selected.
Winners will receive First-, Second-, and Third-Degree Diplomas, as well as special prizes:
Encouragement Prize:
The best artworks will be published on the organizers’ official information resources and featured in an online exhibition.
In addition, the 10 participants whose works are recognized as the best may be required to send the original artwork to the Otandastar Qory (NJSC) at their own expense.