Tokyo prepares to host first Japan–Central Asia summit in December

The Japanese government is making arrangements to host its first-ever summit with the five Central Asian countries, with the meeting likely to take place in Tokyo as early as mid-December.

The inaugural leaders’ summit was initially scheduled to be held in Kazakhstan in August last year but was postponed at the last minute after Japan issued an advisory warning of a possible major earthquake.

Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae aims to use the Tokyo summit to deepen ties with the Central Asian states, strengthen economic security and expand cooperation across sectors including decarbonization technologies, infrastructure development and other strategic areas, according to NHK World Japan.

Japan has maintained ministerial-level dialogue with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for more than two decades. Japan’s total Official Development Assistance (ODA) and loans extended to Uzbekistan exceed $3.7 billion. In addition, Japanese private sector partners, including Sojitz Corporation, are participating in the construction of the New Tashkent International Airport.