Kazakhstan-Japan relations
Diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Japan were established on January 26, 1992.
The Embassy of Japan in Kazakhstan was opened in February 1993.
The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Japan was opened in February 1996.
Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Japan is S.Yessimbekov (since May 2021).
Ambassador of Japan to Kazakhstan is Jun Yamada (since April 2021).
Political relationship
Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Japan is characterized as long-term and mutually beneficial relationship. In 2016, bilateral cooperation was taken to a new qualitative level - an expanded strategic partnership.
The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev visited Japan 5 times. The Prime Ministers of Japan visited Kazakhstan 2 times.
The Parliamentary League of Friendship with Kazakhstan is existing in Japan since 1994. The group for the development of cooperation with Japan has been formed in the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan since 2004, a similar group has been created in the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan since 2005.
On May 31, 2021, the Chairman of Lower House (Majilis) of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.Nigmatulin and the Chairman of Representatives Council of Parliament of Japan T.Oshima negotiated through videoconference.
Japan co-authored the UN General Assembly resolution on the Semipalatinsk region and initiated the International Conference on the problems of the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site in Tokyo in September 1999. Since March 1998, joint activities are held to study the consequences of the nuclear tests. Close ties have been established between the medical and public institutions of Semey, Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
During 2015-2017, Kazakhstan and Japan acted as co-chairs of the 9th Conference to Promote the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
On April 29, 2022, the Foreign Minister of Japan Mr. Yoshimasa Hayashi visited the Republic of Kazakhstan. During the visit he paid courtesy call to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan H.E. K.Tokayev and held bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mr. M.Tileuberdi.
September 27, 2022 the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. M.Tleuberdi took part in the state funeral ceremony of the former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. At the end of the event, the head of the Kazakh delegation was received by the Prime Minister of Japan H.E. F.Kishida.
On December 1, 2022, on the invitation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Government of Japan, the Kazakh delegation headed by the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. E.Zhamaubayev took part in the Central Asian Investment Forum in Tokyo.
On December 23-24, 2022 , the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. M.Tleuberdi visited Tokyo to participate in the 9th Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign affairs "Central Asia + Japan" dialogue.
Trade and economic cooperation
In 2022, the trade turnover amounted to 1.9 billion US dollars (+71%), of which Kazakhstan's exports to Japan – 782 million US dollars (+40%), Japan's imports to Kazakhstan – 1132 million US dollars (+102%).
The main exports of Kazakhstan to Japan were ferroalloys (87%), crude oil (10%), aluminum (1%), tantalum (1%).
The main imported goods from Japan to Kazakhstan were cars (65%), cargo transport (4%), construction machinery (4%), tires (3%), medical equipment (2%).
According to the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Japan is the 10th largest foreign investor in Kazakhstan in terms of gross FDI inflows with an investment volume of more than $7.9 billion US dollars since 1993. According to the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the inflow of FDI from Japan in 2021 amounted to $ 239 million US dollars (-18%), for 2022 – $ 226 million US dollars (33+%).
As of January 1, 2023, 62 companies with Japanese participation were registered in Kazakhstan.
There is a Joint Commission of the government and private Sectors of Kazakhstan and Japan for Economic Cooperation (IPC).
The 7th meeting of the commission was held on June 27, 2018 in Astana.
The Kazakh-Japanese Business Council, which unites representatives of the business circles of the two countries, simultaneously operates as part of the Joint Commission.
Cultural and humanitarian cooperation
On October 12, 2020, the presentation of the book of works by the Kazakh poet and thinker Abai Kunanbayuly took place in Tokyo, for the first time published in Japanese.
In December 2020, the grand opening of the Al-Farabi Center in Japan took place. The event became a landmark event in the celebration of the 1150th anniversary of the scientist and philosopher Abu Nasr al-Farabi.
On March 2021, Agreement on providing a grant as humanitarian aid from the Government of Japan for the Government of Kazakhstan amounted to 3,7 millions of USD was signed.
On April 15, 2021, Kazakh Association in Japan has been founded.
In March 2021 The Government of Japan has provided the Republic of Kazakhstan with a grant of 400 million yen (about $3.7 million US dollars) for the purchase of medical equipment in the fight against the COVID-19 coronavirus.
On June 19, 2022, at the Akasaka Kumin Center concert hall in Tokyo, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Japan organized a concert of Kazakh national music "Silk Road – Bridge of Culture and Friendship", dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Japan.
On September 22-25, 2022, representatives of NC "Kazakh Tourism", as well as travel companies of the Republic of Kazakhstan, took part in the largest tourism exhibition in Japan "JATA-2022".
Legal basis
The current legal basis for cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and Japan includes the following:
On November 7, 2016, the ceremony of the exchange of verbal notes on the exemption from visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and service passports of citizens of Kazakhstan and Japan since January 1, 2017, took place in Astana.