Imperial reception marks start of Kazakh leader's landmark visit to Japan photo

The first official visit of Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Japan opened with a high-level meeting with Emperor Naruhito, underscoring the importance both sides attach to their bilateral relationship.

According to the press service of the Kazakh president, Tokayev expressed sincere appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended by the Japanese side.

He noted that Japan, often referred to as the Land of the Rising Sun, has long served as a source of inspiration for the people of Kazakhstan, particularly through its culture of discipline and resilience.

The Kazakh leader emphasised that relations between Kazakhstan and Japan are rooted in many years of friendship, mutual respect, and constructive cooperation across a wide range of sectors. These ties, he said, continue to develop on a solid and positive foundation.

Emperor Naruhito, in turn, voiced confidence that President Tokayev’s visit would become an important chapter in the history of Japan–Kazakhstan relations. He expressed hope that the visit would give fresh momentum to bilateral ties and help raise cooperation between the two countries to a qualitatively new level.

As reported by the Kazakh leader’s press service, President Tokayev and Emperor Naruhito also exchanged views on key issues of bilateral cooperation as well as on broader international matters of mutual interest.

The visit formally began on December 17, when President Tokayev arrived in Tokyo. At Haneda Airport, he was personally welcomed by Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ayano Kunimitsu.

During the course of the visit, Kazakhstan and Japan are expected to sign agreements totalling more than $3.7 billion, highlighting the strong economic dimension of the bilateral agenda.

By Tamilla Hasanova