Japan is in the midst of deepening economic ties with all five Central Asian countries. We are looking forward to its first-ever summit, taking place in Tokyo on December 20, 2025. This momentous in-person meeting was attended by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan—now known as the five Central Asian former Soviet republics. The summit aimed to establish a stable supply chain for critical minerals and energy resources while addressing pressing global challenges.
Japan’s diplomatic dialogue framework with these Central Asian countries started in 2004. Japan has hosted ten such foreign ministerial meetings with the five countries over the years. This demonstrates the depth of its commitment to working across silos. This summit was initially planned for August 2024 in Kazakhstan. It was delayed after the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida suddenly called off his visit. This decision came against the backdrop of an advisory that warned of an increased likelihood of a major earthquake striking Japan.
At the beginning of the summit, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi noted the changing state of the world. She further underscored the region’s rising importance as a core connective trade corridor between Asia and Europe.
“The international situation has changed drastically, and the region’s importance is growing as a trade route connecting Asia and Europe,” – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
More significantly perhaps, as a result of the summit, Japan and the five Central Asian states agreed on the “Tokyo Declaration.” Under this agreement, Japan and India plan to work together on decarbonization initiatives, logistics support, and building human resources. The lens on these selected spots is a signal of a commitment beyond immediate economic development and toward long-lasting sustainability and health.
That short meeting bore a rather significant fruit. Participants reached consensus to create a new transportation corridor called the “Caspian Sea route.” This logistics route would, among other things, allow Central Asia to access European markets directly without crossing through Russian territory. It is designed to ensure a stable supply chain for critical minerals, particularly rare metals, alongside vital energy sources such as oil and natural gas.
Japan’s strategic interest in these resources only further emphasizes Japan’s wishes to consolidate deep economic ties with Central Asia. The area is a natural resource treasure that the nation must tap for emerging industries and technologies. Neighboring Japan has been more aggressive in promoting a cooperative spirit with these countries. This strategy strengthens U.S. access to essential materials and contributions to regional security.