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(1) On August 11, Ms. ERI discussions with H.E. Mr. Idibek KALANDAR, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan. Building on the outcomes of the bilateral summit meeting and foreign ministers’ meeting, held during the first Summit of “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue in the last December, both sides discussed the diversification of sources for critical minerals and the development of cooperation in various fields, including industry, AI, and people-to-people exchanges.
In addition, sides exchanged views on the regional and international situations as well as the importance of multilateralism, and concurred to maintain close coordination in the international arena. Ms. ERI explained the updated “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”, and both sides concurred on the importance of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and regional peace and stability. Furthermore, Ms. ERI asked for continued understanding and cooperation regarding the immediate resolution of the abduction issue and gained his support.

On the same day, Ms. ERI made a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Sirojiddin MUHRIDDIN, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan. Both sides welcomed the progress in bilateral relations following President Rahmon’s visit to Japan during the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue and the Summit last December, and concurred to cooperate closely toward the further development of relations between the two countries, including in areas such as economic security including the diversification of sources for critical minerals. In addition, both sides exchanged views on the regional and international situations as well as the importance of multilateralism, and concurred to maintain close coordination in the international arena.

Foreign Minister Muhriddin expressed gratitude for Japan’s long-standing support in various fields, including infrastructure development, natural resources, and human resource development. Furthermore, Ms. ERI explained the updated “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”.

After the courtesy call, Ms. ERI attended the signing ceremony for the exchange of notes for the two fiscal year 2026 Grant Aid projects — “The Human Resource Development Scholarship Program (JDS)” and “The Projec t for the Construction of the Substation for the Bulk Power System in Dushanbe City” — and delivered a speech to the local press.

(2)　On the same day, Ms. ERI attended the handover ceremony for “The Project for the Improvement of Medical Equipment for City Health Care Center No. 14 in Dushanbe City ” under the fiscal year 2025 Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP) at the Dushanbe City No. 14 Health Center, where she delivered remarks. The provision of three Japanese-made X-ray fluoroscopy units through this project will enable higher quality diagnoses and improve access to medical services for Dushanbe citizens. Three Japanese-made X-ray fluoroscopy units were provided to the health center through the project.

(3) On the same day, Ms. ERI visited “TOJIKZAMIN,” which was established in January of this year as part of the “The Project for Vitalization of Local Business in Central Asia through One Village One Product Movement” and received briefings on the revitalization of local industries through the sales of food products, cosmetics, clothing, and other items made from local materials and particularly on the contribution to the promotion of small businesses run by women..

(4) On the same day, Ms ERI laid flowers at the United Nations Office in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in memory of Mr. AKINO Yutaka, Political Officer of the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) and other United Nations staff members who lost their lives while on duty in 1998.

(5) On August 12, Ms. ERI made a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Kabir, Minister of Industry and New Technology. Both sides welcomed the progress in industrial cooperation based on cooperation documents prepared during the first summit of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue, and as a follow-up to the Summit, discussed future cooperation toward the diversification of sources for critical minerals, including the training of industrial experts, and the establishment of supply chains and logistics routes.

(6) On the same day, Ms. ERI made a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Juma, Minister of Energy and Water Resources. Minister Juma explained the situation of electricity and related matters., and both sides discussed future cooperation with Japan in power infrastructure and related areas. Both sides welcomed the signing of the exchange of notes for “The Proj ect for the Construction of the Substation for the Bulk Power System in Dushanbe City” and concurred on continuing cooperation in the energy sector.

(7) In addition, during her visit to Tajikistan, Ms. ERI discussed bilateral relationship between Japan and Tajikistan and the regional situations with Japanese nationals residing in Tajikistan active in various fields in the local society, and held a candid exchange of views with the members of the Tajikistan-Japan Parliamentary Friendship League on strengthening bilateral relations in a wide range of field such as FOIP, economic security including energy resources and critical minerals, and future parliamentary diplomacy. Ms. ERI also visited National Rehabilitation Center for Children with Disabilities "Chorbog", a facility for the rehabilitation of children with disabilities where JICA Senior Volunteers are active, where she spoke with the center director, the children, and their guardians.

(1) On August 14, Ms. ERI made a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Bakyt SYDYKOV, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and Minister of Economy and Commerce. Both sides welcomed the progress in bilateral relations following President Japarov’s visit to Japan during the Summit of the “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue last December, and exchanged views as a follow-up to the Summit. With particular attention to the energy and resources field, they concurred to continue working closely to strengthen the investment environment and infrastructure development to facilitate the entry and participation of Japanese companies. They also discussed sharing Japan’s expertise in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the possibility of strengthening cooperation and coordination between central banks of the two countries. Deputy Chairman Sydykov emphasized the potential for further strengthening cooperation in light of economic growth of the Kyrgyz Republic and expressed gratitude for Japan’s support by JICA, including through the JDS program, in which the Deputy Chairman himself had participated . Ms. ERI explained the updated “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”. Both sides also concurred on the importance of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and multilateralism.

(2) On the same day, Ms. ERI made a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Akyl Toktobaev, Minister of Natural Resources, Environment, and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic. Both sides welcomed the progress being made in bilateral cooperation on “Green Resilience,” one of the priority areas for cooperation identified at the Summit of the “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue held last December. They also concurred to further strengthen the bilateral relations based on the shared values, such as freedom, democracy, the rule of law, environmental protection, and development that respects local culture. Minister Toktobaev expressed his interest in strengthening collaboration with the government and local governments of Japan in the areas of air pollution control and ecotourism. Ms. ERI stated that Japan would continue cooperation in the fields of environment and resources, among others. She also explained the updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).

(3) On the same day, Ms. ERI held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Meder Abakirov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic. Both sides concurred to further develop bilateral cooperation in the economic and investment fields, in light of the entry into force of the Tax Agreement in July of this year. Furthermore, both sides discussed regional and international affairs, security, and economic security, and emphasizing the importance of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, regional peace and stability, and multilateralism, concurred to continue closely coordinate in the international arena. Deputy Minister Abakirov expressed his expectations for the holding of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economy, Culture and Human Exchange and appreciation for the active interparliamentary exchanges, as well as his gratitude for Japan’s assistance through JICA. Ms. ERI stated that Japan would continue to promote cooperation in areas such as resources, AI, human resource development, and improvement of the business environment. Ms. ERI explained the updated “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”. Furthermore, she reiterated Japan’s position on security issues related to North Korea and on the abduction issue, and obtained support.

(4) On the same day, Ms. ERI made a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Ruslan Suinaliyev, Miniter of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic. Both sides concurred to closely work together to strengthen the bilateral relations across all fields, based on shared values such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Minister Suinaliyev expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support to date for economic and social development through JICA, as well as for Japan’s contributions to human resource development, including through the JDS program .

Ms. ERI welcomed the progress of concrete cooperation based on the three priority areas identified at the Summit of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue last December, namely, earthquake disaster risk reduction in the “Green and Resilient” area, development of the "Trans-Caspian International Transport Route" in the “Connectivity” area, and initiatives including the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) in the “Human Resource Development” area. Ms. ERI emphasized in particular that the “One Village, One Product (OVOP)” initiative has been successful in the Kyrgyz Republic, contributing to the revival of micro-businesses, job creation, and the creation of opportunities for women’s empowerment.

Following the courtesy call, Ms. ERI attended the signing ceremony for the Economic and Social Development Programme under Japan’s Grant Aid, through which road maintenance equipment will be provided.

(5) On the same day, Ms. ERI made a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Nurlanbek Mamataliev, Speaker of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic. Speaker Mamataliev expressed his expectation that the entry into force of the Tax Convention would contribute to the further development of the economic relations between the two countries. Both sides also welcomed the increased activity in inter-parliamentary exchanges and concurred to continue working closely together, through parliamentary diplomacy, to further develop their bilateral relations.

Furthermore, Ms. ERI explained the updated “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” and requested the Speaker Mamataliev’s continued support for deepening cooperation in the resources and energy fields. Both sides also concurred on the importance of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and regional peace and stability.

(6) In addition to the above, while in the Kyrgyz Republic, Ms. ERI held meeting with Mr. Masabirov, Chair of the Kyrgyz–Japan Parliamentary Friendship League and held candid exchanges of views on strengthening bilateral relations across a wide range of areas, including the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), economic security encompassing energy resources and critical minerals, regional developments, and future parliamentary diplomacy. She also held an exchange of views on Japan–Kyrgyz relations and regional issues with Japanese nationals residing in the Kyrgyz Republic active in various fields in the local society, and engaged in candid exchanges with JDS graduates serving in the Kyrgyz government on regional developments and further strengthening Japan–Kyrgyz relations.

On August 10, Ms. ERI visited the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) during the transit in Istanbul, and held an exchange of views with H.E. Mr. Kubanichbek OMURALIEV, Secretary General of the Secretariat of the Organization of Turkic States on strengthening relations with the countries of Central Asia and Caucasus. Secretary General OMURALIEV explained the background of the establishment and activities of the OTS.

Ms. ERI explained the updated "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" and both side concurred on the importance of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and regional peace and stability. Furthermore, both side concurred to continue close cooperation to further strengthen relations between the countries of Central Asia and Caucasus and Japan.