Meeting with Representatives of the Junior Chamber International Japan Held in Astana

On November 11, 2025, a meeting with a delegation of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Japan was held in Astana. The event served as a platform for exchanging experience in the fields of entrepreneurship, leadership, and youth development initiatives.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken” and the Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan. From the Japanese side, the event was attended by H.E. Yasumasa Iijima, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Shimon Komiya, Embassy Attaché, as well as Executive Directors of the JCI Japan — one of the country’s largest public organizations actively engaged in leadership and youth entrepreneurship development.

The welcoming speech was delivered by Murat Karimsakov, Member of the Board – Deputy Chairman of the Board of “Atameken” and Chairman of the Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of strengthening partnership relations between Kazakhstan and Japan, and noted the contribution of Japanese colleagues to youth entrepreneurship development: “It is a great honor for us to exchange experiences with representatives of one of Japan’s leading public organizations — the Junior Chamber International Japan. We highly value the Japanese side’s initiatives in entrepreneurship, leadership, and youth development, which are recognized worldwide.”

During the meeting, key areas of activity of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken” were presented, including the protection of business rights and interests, the development of a favorable business environment, and dialogue between the state and entrepreneurs.
Special attention was given to the support of youth and women’s entrepreneurship: there are over 753,000 individual entrepreneurs under the age of 35 registered in Kazakhstan, of whom 52.5% are women.

It was also noted that, in order to strengthen bilateral cooperation, the Kazakhstan–Japan Committee on Economic Cooperation operates under the coordination of the Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan on the Kazakh side.

Participants exchanged views on prospects for cooperation in education and entrepreneurship, and discussed projects related to dual education and professional training programs. The “One Village – One Product” project, implemented based on the Japanese model, was also highlighted — it contributes to the development of local brands, handicrafts, and agricultural products, as well as to increasing employment opportunities.