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"Central Asia + Japan" Dialogue Summit Tokyo Declaration

Based on the declaration document of the inaugural Tokyo Summit, this analysis provides a comprehensive examination of the cooperation framework between Japan and the five Central Asian countries, the three priority areas, and their common positions on global and regional issues.

Detail

Published

10/01/2026

Key Chapter Title List

  1. Overview: Review of Japan-Central Asia Cooperation
  2. Future Directions for Cooperation
  3. Three Priority Areas for Cooperation
  4. Green and Resilience
  5. Connectivity
  6. Human Resource Development
  7. Cooperation on Regional Issues
  8. Cooperation on Global Issues
  9. Conclusion

Document Introduction

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the "Tokyo Declaration" released at the inaugural "Central Asia + Japan" Dialogue Summit held in Tokyo on December 20, 2025. This document marks the first summit outcome elevated to the level of heads of state/government since the dialogue mechanism was established 21 years ago in 2004, signaling the entry of Japan's partnership with the five Central Asian countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—into a new strategic phase. The declaration systematically reviews over 33 years of bilateral relations and 21 years of the "Central Asia + Japan" dialogue process, fully affirming the mechanism's role as a "catalyst" for maintaining and strengthening a strategic partnership based on friendship and mutual trust.

The report's main body is clearly structured. It first outlines the achievements of the dialogue mechanism in the past, including the establishment of specialized mechanisms such as successive foreign ministers' meetings, high-level officials' meetings, the Tokyo Knowledge Dialogue, expert meetings in various fields, and economic and energy dialogues. Building on this foundation, the declaration clarifies the core direction for future cooperation, namely, focusing on three priority areas—"Green and Resilience," "Connectivity," and "Human Resource Development"—through Japan's proposed "Tokyo Initiative for Central Asia+Japan Dialogue." The document elaborates on these areas in detail, covering specific cooperation pathways such as green transition and climate change, critical mineral supply chains, disaster risk prevention and control, digital connectivity and AI governance, cross-border transport corridors, people-to-people exchanges, and multi-level talent development programs.

At the regional and global issue level, the report reveals the consensus among participating parties on a free and open international order based on the rule of law, reiterates adherence to the principles of the UN Charter, and expresses a shared stance in support of UN Security Council reform. The declaration pays particular attention to the importance of long-term stability in Afghanistan and its integration into regional processes, welcoming progress in resolving border issues among Central Asian countries. Furthermore, the document demonstrates the coordinated positions of both sides on global issues such as nuclear non-proliferation, economic security, food and energy security, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As a binding political document, this declaration not only charts a detailed roadmap for future bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Japan and Central Asian countries but also reflects, against the backdrop of profound evolution in the global geopolitical landscape, the common strategic aspiration of all parties to deepen practical cooperation and enhance regional resilience and economic diversification. The report's analysis is based on the original text of the declaration, aiming to provide researchers with first-hand interpretation of policy trends and a reference for the cooperation framework.