Japan and the Republic of Kazakhstan maintain good relations with each other in almost all respects.

Japan recognized the Republic of Kazakhstan on 28 December 1991, soon after its independence on 16th of the same month. Their diplomatic relations were established on 26 January 1992. Since then, the two countries have developed their ties through a wide range of activities.

Details

Eminent persons from both countries have visited each others' land, which plays an important role in fostering relations between Japan and Kazakhstan.

In May 1992, the then Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Japan WATANABE Michio visited Kazakhstan.

President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Nursultan Nazarbaev visited Japan in April 1994 and December 1999. During his latest visit, Japanese Prime Minister Obuchi and President Nazarbaev issued a "Joint Statement on Friendship, Partnership and Cooperation between Japan and the Republic of Kazakhstan."

List of visits

In July 1997, the then Prime Minister of Japan HASHIMOTO Ryutaro announced a new concept in Japan's foreign policy - "Eurasian diplomacy." He emphasized the importance of Silk Road region and initiated further development of Japan's bilateral ties with the Central-Asian and Caucasian countries.

Immediately after the announcement of the policy, deeper dialogue between the two countries was sought through a Japanese mission led by a Member of House of Representatives OBUCHI Keizo, and a visit by the then Director-General of the Japanese Economic Planning Agency ASO Taro to Kazakhstan.

On the basis of the policy, cooperation between Japan and the Silk Road countries, including Kazakhstan, has steadily developed and is developing in various fields, such as economic cooperation, cultural exchange.

Some materials about "Eurasian Diplomacy"

The nuclear tests in the Semipalatinsk region in the Soviet era had serious effect on the people living there.

Japan is the only country that has experienced nuclear bombings, and Japan has a lot of experience on medical and health care for the nuclear-affected people. Japan assists the Government of Kazakhstan and the citizens there who have been making efforts to seek a solution of the negative problems which they have inherited from the past.

As a part of Japan's assistance, Japan and the United Nations held the Semipalatinsk Conference in Tokyo in September 1999.

Information about Semipalatinsk Conference (September 1999)