Central Asia + Japan Business Forum Held

1. Central Asia + Japan Business Forum

In conjunction with the visits of the presidents of the Central Asian countries to Japan—H. E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H. E. Mr. Sadyr Zhaparov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H. E. Mr. Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan, and H. E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan—METI, ROTOBO, and JETRO today co-hosted the Central Asia + Japan Business Forum, with the support of the Japan-Uzbekistan Economic Committee, the Japan-Kazakhstan Economic Committee, and the Japan-Turkmenistan Economic Committee. Governments, companies, and related organizations from Japan and the Central Asian countries participated in the forum, in which Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and Minister Akazawa delivered speeches. Furthermore, 158 memoranda of cooperation concluded by companies and related organizations following the Summit of the Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue (CA+JAD) were presented, and Japanese companies operating in Central Asia and the governments of the Central Asian countries reported on their respective initiatives.

2. Highlights of the forum

(1) Opening remarks by Minister Akazawa

At the outset of his opening remarks, Minister Akazawa welcomed the presentation of the 158 memoranda of cooperation prompted by the visits of the presidents of the Central Asian countries to Japan, emphasizing that economic ties between Japan and Central Asia are growing. He also noted that the forum featured wide-ranging discussions from multiple perspectives, including green transformation, the use of digital technologies, and human resource development. Stressing that enhanced cooperation in these areas would support next-generation growth, he expressed his commitment to further promoting economic relations between Japan and the Central Asian countries.

(2) Photo session with ministers and company representatives from participating countries

A photo session was held with Minister Akazawa, Mr. Yersayin Nagaspayev (Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan), Mr. Ravshanbek Sabirov (Head of the National Investment Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic), Mr. Abdurahmon Abdurahmonzoda (Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan), Mr. Maksat Babayev (Chairman of the State Concern Turkmengas of Turkmenistan), Mr. Laziz Kudratov (Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan), and participating company representatives.

• Session 1
• Session 2
• Session 3

(3) Session 1: Japan-Central Asia cooperation on green transformation and industrial resilience

The possibilities of cooperation for green transformation and enhanced industrial resilience were discussed by the following participants, who took the stage: Mr. Tsubai Hiroyuki (Chairman of the Japanese-Turkmen Committee for Economic Cooperation, Executive Vice President of Itochu Corporation), Mr. Fukazawa Taro (Head of GX Solutions of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.), Mr. Nurlan Kapenov (Chairman of the Board of Directors of Qazaq Green RES Association of the Republic of Kazakhstan), Mr. Shumkarbek Adilbek (Deputy Director of the National Institute for Strategic Initiatives (NISI) under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic), Mr. Sulton Rahimzoda (Chairman of the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management of the Republic of Tajikistan), Mr. Maksat Babayev (Chairman of the State Concern Turkmengas of Turkmenistan), and Mr. Fazliddin Sharofiddinov (Head of the Project Office , Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan).

(4) Session 2: Central Asia-Japan cooperation on digital transformation and connectivity development

Discussions were held on cooperation in strengthening the digital industry and inter-regional connectivity by the following participants, who took the stage: Mr. Terakawa Akira (Chairman of the Japan-Kazakhstan Economic Committee, Senior Corporate Advisor at Marubeni Corporation), Mr. Matsuzaki Eiji (CEO for Digital Solutions Division at Toyota Tsusho Corporation), Mr. Saken Nurtazaev (Deputy Chairman of the Digital Assets and Breakthrough Technologies Committee of the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan), Mr. Azis Abakirov (CEO of High Technology Park of the Kyrgyz Republic), Mr. Khurshed Mirzo (Director of the Agency of Innovation and Digital Technologies Under the President of the Rpepublic of Tajikistan), Mr. Hajymyrat Hudayguliyev (Minister of Communications of Turkmenistan), and Mr. Sherzod Shermatov (Minister of Digital Technologies of the Republic Uzbekistan).

(5) Session 3: Possibilities for Central Asia-Japan cooperation in finance, human resource development, and social system enhancement for business promotion

The possibilities of cooperation in finance, human resource development, and social system enhancement were discussed by the following participants, who took the stage: Mr. Baba Juro (Chairman of the Japan-Uzbekistan Economic Committee, Senior Vice President of Mitsubishi Corporation), Mr. Takahara Ichiro (Chairman and CEO of the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC)), Mr. Timur Turlov (Chief Executive Officer, Director of Freedom Holding Corp.), Mr. Kalygul Saliev (CEO of FinJust Consult of the Republic Kyrgyz), Mr. Abdurahmon Abdurahmonzoda (Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan), Mr. Rahymberdi Jepbarov (Chairman of the Board, the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan), and Mr. Ilhomjon Umrzakov (Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan).

(6) Document presentation session with Prime Ministers and companies

In the presence of Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, H. E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H. E. Mr. Sadyr Zhaparov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, H. E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H. E. Mr. Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan, and H. E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 158 memoranda of cooperation and related documents concluded in or after January 2025 were presented.

Related Material

• List of Memoranda for the Central Asia + Japan Business Forum(PDF:169KB)

Division in Charge

Russia, Central Asia and Caucasus Office, Trade Policy Bureau