Japan is taking a very significant step to deepen its economic relationship with five Central Asian countries. On December 20, 2025, the country will welcome the world to Tokyo for a historic summit. The meeting was the first-ever such summit between Japan and Central Asian states Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This meeting aimed to deepen diplomatic relations and economic partnerships. It underscored the emerging role of the region as a critical trade corridor linking Asia and Europe.
The diplomatic dialogue framework between Japan and the five central Asian former Soviet republics started in 2004. Development of the Quad Since then, Japan has held ten foreign ministerial meetings with these ten nations, demonstrating a commitment to this collaborative effort that runs deep into the past. At the recent summit, the countries adopted the “Tokyo Declaration,” which outlines their shared goals of decarbonization, logistics facilitation, and cooperation in human resource development.
One crucial provision of the now-iconic “Tokyo Declaration” is aimed at developing a transport corridor. This new link will provide Central Asia an alternative route to Europe, bypassing Russian territory. This new transportation route will prioritize transporting stable streams of critical minerals and energy resources. It comprises critical parts such as scarce metals, crude oil, and domestic gas.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made clear the significance of this effort in her opening remarks.
“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.
The summit was to be held in August 2024 in Kazakhstan. Due to increasing fears following the horrific January 12th massive earthquake that struck Haiti, organizers decided to postpone it. Japan’s choice to host the summit in Tokyo reflects its forward-looking, proactive strategy to increase influence in the resource-rich Central Asian region. This space has long attracted the attention of Russia and China, both of whom wish to shore up their economic footholds there.
Japan is intensively courting five Central Asian countries. This heightened engagement is largely a result of China’s strategic requirement for secure, reliable access to natural resources. The established “Caspian Sea route” is destined to be an important one in reaching that goal. It will help ensure a secure and sustainable supply chain of these key minerals and energy materials.