Japan to Host Inaugural Central Asia Summit in Tokyo

Historic Summit to Bolster Ties

Japan is preparing to host a landmark summit with the leaders of five Central Asian countries in Tokyo on December 19-20, 2025. This marks the first time a meeting at the heads of state level will be held under the 'Central Asia plus Japan' dialogue initiative, which was originally launched in 2004. The summit aims to significantly expand collaboration, strengthen supply chains, and foster sustainable development across the region.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to chair the two-day event and will also hold bilateral meetings with the participating Central Asian leaders. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara highlighted the importance of the Central Asian countries as 'strategically important partners,' expressing hope for stronger mutually beneficial relations.

Key Objectives and Participating Nations

The summit will bring together leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Among the confirmed attendees are President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan. The agenda is comprehensive, focusing on several critical areas:

• Expanding collaboration and strengthening supply chains
• Fostering sustainable development in the region
• Maintaining and strengthening an international order based on the rule of law
• Enhancing economic security
• Discussing international affairs and strengthening bilateral relations
• Addressing the use of artificial intelligence
• Developing a 'green economy' and improving transport and logistics connectivity
• Increasing the potential of human capital

Economic and Geopolitical Context

This summit follows a previous attempt to hold the meeting in Kazakhstan in August 2024, which was postponed due to a mega-earthquake advisory in Japan. Japan's renewed focus on Central Asia is seen as an effort to deepen ties with the resource-rich region, which has historically strong connections with Russia and a growing influence from China. Tokyo aims to reduce the influence of these powers and reinforce a rule-based international order.

In conjunction with the leaders' meeting, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry will host a 'Central Asia + Japan' Business Forum, underscoring the economic dimension of this diplomatic initiative. The summit is expected to conclude with the adoption of the Tokyo Declaration, which aims to elevate cooperation between Japan and the Central Asian countries to a new level.