Japan-Kazakhstan Relations
Visit of Parliamentary Vice-Minister Fukazawa to the Republic of Kazakhstan
From June 5 to 8, Mr. Fukazawa Yoichi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited the Republic of Kazakhstan.
1. The 30th anniversary meeting of the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC)
On June 6, Mr. Fukazawa attended the 30th Anniversary Meeting of the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) and delivered opening remarks together with the Executive Director of the ISTC, the Chairman of the ISTC Governing Board, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and representatives of ISTC Parties, including the United States and the EU. In his opening remarks, Mr. Fukazawa commended the role of the ISTC in supporting the peaceful research activities of scientists and engineers with expertise and technologies related to weapons of mass destruction and in the use of science and technology for good, and noted that such ideas were carried forward in the ISTC Strategic Roadmap, which was developed at the suggestion of Japan. He also noted the importance of working with ISTC for the growth of Central Asia and the Caucasus region and the world. He mentioned ISTC's participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan and called on many stakeholders to actively participate in Expo 2025.
In addition, Mr. Fukazawa exchanged views with Mr. David Cleave, the Executive Director of the ISTC, Ambassador Ronald Lehman, the Chairman of the ISTC Governing Board and the ISTC Parties on the possibility of further collaboration through ISTC.
2. Bilateral meetings with the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan
On June 7, Mr. Fukazawa had a meeting with Mr. Akan Rakhmetullin, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and agreed to continue to work closely together on bilateral and multilateral cooperation issues, including the Summit meeting of "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue.
On the same day, Mr. Fukazawa also had a meeting with H.E. Mr. Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and exchanged views on university exchanges and the possibility of further scientific and technological cooperation, including collaboration through the ISTC.
3. Flower offering at the cenotaph for Japanese interned in the former Soviet Union
On June 6, Mr. Fukazawa visited the cenotaph erected by the Japanese government in the center of Astana to commemorate Japanese internees who were interned and forcibly transferred to Kazakhstan by the Soviet Union after World War II and died there, and offered flowers.
4. Meeting with Japanese companies
On June 7, Mr. Fukazawa had a meeting with Japanese companies operating in Kazakhstan to exchange views on ways to further develop bilateral economic relations and strengthen collaboration with ISTC.
5. Sports and cultural exchanges
On June 6, Mr. Fukazawa visited the Directorate for the Preparation and Holding of the 5th World Nomad Games to be held in Kazakhstan in September this year and exchanged views on promoting sports exchanges.
On June 7, Mr. Fukazawa visited the Astana Opera. Four Japanese ballerinas are members of the Astana Opera Ballet Troupe, and Mr. Fukazawa sent a message of encouragement to the Japanese ballerinas, wishing them success in their activities and promoting cultural exchanges.