Japan eyes bigger role in central Asia with first leaders summit

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) and Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev exchange partnership joint statements in Tokyo on Dec 18.

PHOTO: AFP

TOKYO - Japan will host leaders from five Central Asian nations, convening the first summit at the highest level as the resource-rich region draws growing interest from global powers.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will host top officials from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan for a two-day gathering starting on Dec 19.

The schedule includes an official reception, a business forum and a series of leader-level meetings aimed at tightening economic, security and infrastructure cooperation.

For Japan, the summit is a chance to elevate its presence in a space long dominated by other global powers.

In the past year, the EU held its first Central Asia summit in Uzbekistan in April, Chinese leader Xi Jinping visited Kazakhstan in June to advance Belt and Road investment, Russia’s Vladimir Putin attended a summit in Tajikistan in October, and President Donald Trump hosted his inaugural meeting with Central Asian leaders in November.

Each of these gatherings has produced multibillion-dollar deals, showing how the region – long seen as Moscow’s backyard – is attracting fresh capital and diplomatic attention from a widening array of global players.

The five Central Asian countries hold vast mineral resources, including gold, rare earth elements and uranium – materials critical to defense programs and the energy transition.

Their location between Russia, China, South Asia and the Middle East makes the region a strategic corridor for infrastructure and trade.

China