Japan-Kazakhstan Relations

Foreign Minister IWAYA’s Luncheon Meeting with Japanese business people, Visiting the National Museum, Visiting Astana Opera House and Laying flowers at the Japanese memorial monument

August 25, 2025

On August 25, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, accompanied by Mrs. IWAYA during his visit to Kazakhstan, held a luncheon meeting with Japanese business people in Kazakhstan, and visited the National Museum and Astana Opera House, and also offered flowers at the memorial monument for Japanese victims. The overview is as follows:

1. Luncheon Meeting with representatives of Japanese companies

Minister IWAYA taking photo with Japanese business people working in Kazakhstan

Minister IWAYA held the Luncheon Meeting with Japanese business people working in Kazakhstan.
Participants exchanged views on the current status and future prospects of business in Kazakhstan, as well as prospects for expanding economic relations with Japan.

2. Visiting the National Museum

Minister IWAYA and Mrs. IWAYA visited the National Museum, where they were guided by H.E. Mr. Murat NURTLEU, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and viewed exhibits such as the “Golden Man” and the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and listened to explanations about Kazakhstan's history and culture from the museum staff and others.

3. Visiting Astana Opera House

Minister IWAYA and Mrs. IWAYA meeting with Japanese ballet dancers performing in Astana

Minister IWAYA and Mrs. IWAYA visited the Astana Opera House, where they met with Japanese ballet dancers performing in Astana and exchanged views on cultural and artistic exchanges between Japan and Kazakhstan.

4. Laying flowers at the memorial monument for Japanese victims

Minister IWAYA, Mrs. IWAYA and with Minister Nurtleu laying flowers at the memorial monument for Japanese victims

Minister IWAYA and Mrs. IWAYA visited the memorial monument for Japanese prisoners of war erected by the Japanese government in the center of Astana to commemorate Japanese prisoners of war who were detained by the Soviet Union after the World War II, forcibly relocated to Kazakhstan, and died there, and offered flowers with Minister Nurtleu.