On 6 March 2025, the 'Expert Dialogue «Central Asia + Japan: Current Trends and Prospects» was held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan and The Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) Chief Executive Director Tomoyuki Yoshida took part in this Dialogue. Taking the opportunity, he and JIIA Research Fellow Michihiro Tajima visited Türkiye, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from 4 to 9 March and held discussions and round-table meetings with local thinktanks.
In addition to participating in the above dialogue, they visited The Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies(EDAM) , The Information and Analytical Center for International Relations (IACIR) , and International Institute for Central Asia (IICA), and discussed topics such as the regional situation in Eurasia and the Black Sea region arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, perceptions of international affairs including US-Russia relations, prospects for relations between Japan and the countries of Central Asia in the context of the 'Central Asia + Japan' framework, as well as other issues, including the international situation, notably the US-Russia relations, and the regional situation in Eurasia and the Black Sea region arising from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (In chronological order)
１）JIIA-EDAM Roundtable in Istanbul
JIIA organized a roundtable with The Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM) in Istanbul, Türkiye on March 5.
A lively discussion took place on a range of topics regarding perceptions of the international situation, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine and US-Russia relations; responses to the crises in the rules-based international order and global governance; political and security trends in the Black Sea region; and the policies of Japan and Türkiye towards Central Asia and Russia.
２）Expert Dialogue «Central Asia + Japan: Current Trends and Prospects»
The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of Kazakhstan (KazISS), Maqsut Narikbayev University and the Embassy of Japan in Kazakhstan co-hosted the "Expert Dialogue «Central Asia + Japan: Current Trends and Prospects»" in Astana on March 6, and Chief Executive Director Yoshida and Research Fellow Tajima participated.
Mr. Yoshida took part in Discussion 2, "Japan's Policy towards Central Asia" as a Panelist, where he spoke about Japan's perspective on Central Asia, a region of growing geopolitical importance due to the intensification of competition between major powers, and explained his thoughts on the significance of connectivity among the five Central Asian countries, the prospects for future development of the "Central Asia + Japan" framework, and the potential for partnership on global issues. He also engaged in lively discussions with the experts from the five Central Asian countries and Japan who took part in the dialogue.
During their stay, they also visited and laid flowers at the cenotaph commemorating the Japanese detainees who died in Kazakhstan after having been forcibly transferred there by the Soviet Union following World War II.
３）Roundtable Discussion in Tashkent with Experts from IACIR and Other Institutions
On March 8, Chief Executive Director Yoshida and Research Fellow Tajima paid a visit to The Information and Analytical Center for International Relations (IACIR) in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent and engaged in a roundtable discussion with representatives of research institutions and universities.
Mr. Yoshida kicked off the roundtable with a lecture on the political and security environment in the Asia-Pacific region, changes in the Eurasian region caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the prospects for Japan-Uzbekistan relations in the context of the "Central Asia + Japan" framework. This was followed by a lively exchange of opinions with the other participants.
Reference:
https://www.jiia.or.jp/eventreport/20240711-01.html
４）JIIA-IICA Roundtable in Tashkent
JIIA organized a roundtable with The International Institute for Central Asia (IICA) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on March 8 in which Chief Executive Director Yoshida and Research Fellow Tajima participated.
The participants enjoyed an open discussion on Japan's role under the "Central Asia + Japan" framework as well as the current status and prospects of Japan-Uzbekistan relations.
