On March 6, 2025, an expert dialogue titled “Central Asia + Japan: Current Trends and Future Prospects” was held in Astana. The event was organized by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of Kazakhstan (KISI), the Embassy of Japan in Kazakhstan, and Maksut Narikbayev University.

The event gathered representatives of leading think tanks and academic circles from Central Asia and Japan. Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies (ISMI), emphasized Japan’s significant contribution to the region’s development. He noted that since independence, Japan’s official aid to Central Asia has exceeded $5 billion, funding key socio-economic projects and integration efforts.

Aripov highlighted key areas of cooperation with Japan, including industrial collaboration, human capital development, environmental sustainability, and the green transition. He cited the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as a major contributor to health, education, energy, and transportation projects. Additionally, trade volume between Japan and Central Asia has increased sixfold over the past two decades, reaching $2.4 billion in 2024.

The discussion also covered educational collaboration, with Aripov emphasizing the presence of over 50 foreign university branches in Central Asia. He called for expanding partnerships with Japan to train highly skilled specialists.

Climate change adaptation, sustainable water management, and the integration of Japanese agricultural technologies into the region were also key topics of discussion.

Aripov concluded that cooperation with Japan plays a crucial role in enhancing Central Asia’s resilience and opens up new avenues for multilateral engagement.