He argued that simplifying visa procedures for citizens of Central Asian states would facilitate this goal, making travel more seamless and attractive for Japanese tourists while also encouraging Kazakhstanis to discover Japan’s own unique culture and heritage.
The proposal for a broader tourism corridor reflects wider efforts to diversify Kazakhstan’s international engagement and build economic linkages beyond traditional trade and investment. Tourism is increasingly viewed as a strategic sector that can contribute to job creation, small business growth and cross-cultural exchange, complementing other priority areas such as energy, infrastructure and education. During his remarks, President Tokayev also reiterated Kazakhstan’s congratulations to Japan for successfully hosting EXPO 2025 in Osaka, highlighting how global events of this scale can inspire greater international cooperation and cultural interest.
Alongside tourism, the President outlined other areas of cultural and sporting cooperation, including the promotion of traditional Japanese martial arts such as judo, sumo and kendo in Kazakhstan. These disciplines, he noted, resonate with Kazakhstan’s own strong sporting culture and shared values of discipline and respect, and they offer additional avenues for people-to-people engagement that extend beyond conventional tourism activities. Kazakhstan itself is preparing to host the World Judo Championships in 2027, an event that further signals its growing role as a hub for international sports diplomacy and cultural exchange.
The summit in Tokyo produced the Tokyo Declaration, a document affirming the commitment of participating states to strengthen cooperation across multiple dimensions, including tourism, trade and innovation. Beyond the specific proposals for tourism facilitation, Kazakhstan and Japan also discussed collaboration in broader economic areas such as infrastructure development, digital technology and academic exchange. Tokayev proposed opening representative offices of Japanese universities in Kazakhstan, further emphasising education and research as complementary pillars for sustained bilateral relations.
Increasing cooperation with Japan aligns with Kazakhstan’s longstanding multi-vector foreign policy, which seeks to balance and expand partnerships with global partners across Asia, Europe and beyond. The Central Asia-Japan dialogue provides a unique platform for regional states to articulate shared interests, build connectivity and attract Japanese investment in sectors that include tourism, cultural heritage preservation and sustainable development. For Japan, Central Asia offers new opportunities for engaging with diverse cultures and markets, reinforcing Tokyo’s interest in expanding its diplomatic and economic footprint in Eurasia.
Practical steps toward realizing this tourism vision include facilitating business-to-business dialogues, joint marketing initiatives and exploratory visits by leading Japanese travel companies. Already, Kazakhstan has welcomed major Japanese tourism firms to explore key destinations and assess opportunities for co-developing tour packages that showcase Kazakhstan’s natural beauty, historical sites and vibrant urban culture. These interactions underscore a shared recognition that enhanced tourism cooperation can deliver tangible benefits for both nations and create new pathways for cultural and economic exchange.
As global tourism continues to recover and evolve in the post-pandemic era, nations are increasingly seeking collaborative frameworks that maximise connectivity, diversify tourism products and deepen intercultural ties. Kazakhstan’s proactive outreach to Japan reflects a broader regional aspiration to position Central Asia as a compelling destination for international travellers, while also opening doors for Kazakh citizens to engage more fully with the world. The dialogue in Tokyo represents a pivotal moment in this journey, offering a roadmap for deeper engagement that spans tourism, sport, education and beyond, and setting the stage for a new era of cooperation between Kazakhstan, Japan and their partners.
