The visit of Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya to Central Asian states was closely linked to Tokyo’s domestic political and economic agenda. The trip was seen as a preparatory stage for the C5+Japan summit and was intended to give new substance to Japan’s engagement with the region.

 

Amid growing competition from China, Russia, Turkey, and the EU, Japan seeks to emphasize its willingness to remain a significant partner for Central Asia, relying on economic diplomacy, technological cooperation, and support for structural reforms. A key factor is economic security policy, which has been a central element of Japan’s strategy since 2022. The Economic Security Promotion Act is forcing Tokyo to seek more reliable sources of critical minerals, which determines the importance of cooperation with Uzbekistan for Japan. Tokyo seeks to guarantee long-term access to strategic raw materials, primarily metals for battery production and renewable energy.

 

Japanese diplomacy is currently characterized by a desire to “make up for lost time”, which highlights the weakness of the country’s political leadership against a backdrop of internal instability and declining popularity of the prime minister. According to experts, the visit yielded important results in the form of agreements in the fields of industry, energy, and logistics, as well as the establishment of a Strategic Dialogue between the foreign ministers.

 

In its official releases, Japan’s Foreign Ministry notes that Uzbekistan is showing steady economic growth and that bilateral relations with Japan have strengthened significantly, especially after the Uzbek president’s visit to Japan in December 2019.

 

The launch of the new Strategic Dialogue format sets an institutionalized and predictable rhythm of interaction, which increases the stability of Japan’s relations with Central Asia and forms a coordination mechanism, including the preparation of the agenda for the upcoming C5+Japan summit.

 

Thanks to the agreements reached, Uzbekistan’s potential for receiving development assistance and access to advanced technologies is expanding. The project in the Surkhandarya region is forming a model of “human security + green growth” that can be scaled up in the Aral Sea region, Fergana, and Kashkadarya.

 

In addition, the potential for developing educational and humanitarian cooperation is gaining momentum. In particular, scholarship programs, Japanese language studies, and academic exchanges are opening up new opportunities for Uzbek universities to expand dual degree programs and specialist training. The establishment of the first Japanese university in Tashkent will form the basis for long-term cooperation and training personnel for joint initiatives.

 

Practical steps to maximize the results of the visit cover several areas. It seems appropriate to put forward new initiatives at the C5+Japan summit to deepen cooperation with Japan in areas such as green transport corridors, energy, smart cities, visa programs for IT specialists and engineers, and the organization of a forum on critical minerals.

 

Thus, Takeshi Iwaya’s visit confirmed Japan’s increased interest in Central Asia and underscored Uzbekistan’s strategic role in supply chains, sustainable development, and humanitarian initiatives. Institutionalizing dialogue, accelerating pilot projects, and establishing the first Japanese university in Tashkent will allow Japan to maximize the results of its diplomatic activity.

 

* The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.