Tokyo Declaration calls for further cooperation to step up economic tie

The leaders of Japan and five Central Asian countries have adopted the “Tokyo Declaration,” which calls for further cooperation to step up economic ties and strengthen supply chains for critical minerals.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and the leaders of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan met on Friday and Saturday in Tokyo. At the onset of the plenary session on Saturday, Takaichi said she is honored to host the first summit between Japan and the five countries, noting that they have held foreign minister-level and other meetings for more than 20 years.

Takaichi said the economies of Central Asian countries have been developing rapidly as their populations increase and that they have been taking on leading roles in tackling global issues.