Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with a delegation of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) headed by Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Takehiko Hashimoto.

Issues of expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation were discussed in further development of the agreements reached during the official visit of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Japan in December 2025. During the visit, 47 bilateral commercial documents worth over $3.7 billion were signed.

Olzhas Bektenov emphasized that Japan is one of Kazakhstan’s key trade and economic partners in East Asia. Last year, bilateral trade turnover exceeded $1.7 billion. There are 68 enterprises with Japanese capital operating in the country. Companies such as INPEX, Marubeni, Sumitomo, Mitsui and others are successfully operating in the Kazakh market.

Kazakhstan is interested in expanding comprehensive cooperation with Japan as one of the world’s leading technological countries. The readiness of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan to provide the necessary support for the implementation of new breakthrough projects, attraction of capital, transfer of advanced technologies and localization of production with the participation of Japanese partners was noted.

“Under the leadership of Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, our country has entered a stage of large-scale political and economic transformations. The Constitution adopted at the national referendum has enshrined the course towards building a Just and Progressive Kazakhstan, open to constructive international partnership. In this context, interaction with Japan is of particular importance to us. We are interested not only in expanding trade and investment, but also in launching joint projects that will bring new technologies, modern production facilities and long-term competencies to the economy,” Olzhas Bektenov noted.

In turn, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Takehiko Hashimoto noted that Japan and Kazakhstan have broad potential for expanding cooperation.

“The pace of digital transformation in Kazakhstan is impressive. Kazakhstan is a young country that is moving quite successfully in this direction. There are many young people here developing digitalization. We are interested in continuing cooperation with Kazakhstan in the field of human capital development, including the training of highly qualified personnel in IT and digital transformation. Japanese companies have significant experience in implementing long-term infrastructure projects. We see great potential for cooperation in the development of digital and logistics infrastructure, as well as in the field of ‘green’ technologies. Japan is ready to offer environmentally friendly solutions for the mining industry and contribute to the sustainable development of Kazakhstan’s economy,” Takehiko Hashimoto emphasized.

The potential for further interaction was noted in such areas as the transport and logistics sector, including the development of the Middle Corridor and Caspian port infrastructure, energy, digitalization and artificial intelligence, and industrial cooperation. Kazakhstan is interested in implementing joint projects with the participation of Japanese business focused on technology transfer, production localization and the creation of new points of economic growth.

For reference: Keidanren is the largest and most influential association of business circles in Japan. The federation includes 1,574 companies, 106 industry associations and 47 regional economic organizations.

#Olzhas Bektenov #International Cooperation #Investments #Trade and economic cooperation

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