Kazakhstan and Japan Identify Promising Areas of Trade and Economic Cooperation

On September 9, 2026, Murat Karimsakov, Chairman of the Board of The Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan, met with a representative Japanese delegation at the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken”.

The event was moderated by Nurlan Sarsenbay, Chairman of the Audit Commission of NCE RK “Atameken”. Representatives of QazTrade, KAZAKH INVEST and Integra Construction KZ, as well as directors of Atameken’s departments, also took part in the discussion.

The Japanese delegation included representatives of the Japan-China Association for the Promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative, research institutes, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), higher education institutions and the Japanese business community.

The participants included Tetsuji Tanaka, Chairman of the Board of the Central Eurasian Research Council; Hiroo Shimada, Vice-Chairman of the Japan-China Association for the Promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative and Chairman of the Board of Shimabun Corporation; Yoshikazu Ohno, Representative Director of the Japan-China Association for the Promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative; Yasushi Aikawa, Professor at Tottori University of Environmental Studies; and others.

In his remarks, Murat Karimsakov noted that Kazakhstan’s foreign trade policy is based on the principles of openness, pragmatism, a multi-vector approach and comprehensive integration into the global economy. The country is consistently diversifying its exports, developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route — the Middle Corridor — and creating conditions for attracting technological investment.

The meeting focused on prospects for expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation between Kazakhstan and Japan, strengthening direct contacts between the business communities of the two countries, and implementing joint projects using Japanese technologies and management expertise.

“In this context, Japan is a strategic priority for us, as its advanced technologies and management standards are fully aligned with the modernization priorities of our economy,” Murat Karimsakov emphasized.

According to the data presented at the meeting, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Japan reached USD 1.8 billion in 2025. Kazakhstan’s exports amounted to USD 434.3 million, while imports from Japan totalled USD 1.3 billion. Kazakhstan’s main exports include ferroalloys and other metals, oil, coal and chemical products. Kazakhstan primarily imports cars, trucks and specialized machinery, medical equipment, tyres and other industrial goods from Japan.

The parties noted the considerable potential for expanding the range of goods traded between the two countries. Particular attention was paid to opportunities for cooperation in mechanical engineering, transport and logistics, digitalization, financial technologies, green energy, high-tech manufacturing and infrastructure development.

Currently, approximately 68 enterprises with Japanese capital operate in Kazakhstan. Companies represented in the country include INPEX, Marubeni Corporation, Sumitomo Corporation, Mitsui & Co., Mitsubishi Corporation, Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Sojitz Corporation, Itochu Corporation, Nissin Corporation and MUFG Bank. Japanese companies implement projects in the oil and gas sector, energy, industry, infrastructure, the automotive sector, logistics, trade and finance.

The meeting also highlighted the role of the Kazakhstan-Japan Committee for Economic Cooperation as a practical platform for business dialogue, coordination of joint activities and promotion of investment projects. The Committee’s next meeting is scheduled for December 2026.

Following the meeting, the parties expressed their interest in continuing the dialogue, developing direct contacts between Kazakh and Japanese companies, and exploring new mutually beneficial initiatives.