Tokyo, April 23, 2026 – Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Japan Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev presented the Order of Dostyq (Friendship), II degree, to former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Yoriko Kawaguchi.

The high state award was conferred upon Y. Kawaguchi in accordance with a decree by the President of Kazakhstan, K. Tokayev, in recognition of her outstanding merits and significant contribution to the development of friendly relations between Kazakhstan and Japan.

In his congratulatory speech, Y. Baudarbek-Kozhatayev highlighted Y. Kawaguchi’s important role in the establishment and development of the “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue, which has since become an important mechanism for interregional cooperation.

In her remarks, Y. Kawaguchi expressed sincere gratitude for the high recognition of her work, noting that the implementation of the “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue would have been difficult without the support of the Kazakhstan side, represented at the time by K. Tokayev, who was serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

According to her, Japan and Kazakhstan are countries capable of complementing and supporting each other, which will make a significant contribution not only to strengthening bilateral relations, but also to the development of the entire region and the international community.

Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan Midori Matsushima emphasized the importance of Central Asia and, in particular, Kazakhstan for Japan, noting that cooperation between the countries is actively developing in various fields — from economy and investment to education, science, and cultural exchanges. She paid special attention to Astana, describing it as a young and dynamically developing capital that serves as a symbol of Kazakhstan’s modernization and openness to international partnership.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Alfiya Eri noted the official visit of the Head of State and his participation in the first “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue Summit, held in Tokyo in December 2025. She emphasized that during the bilateral meeting, President K. Tokayev and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signed a Joint Statement “On Further Synergy of the Future-Oriented Expanded Strategic Partnership,” stating that Japan intends to continue strengthening relations with Kazakhstan as an important strategic partner.

The official award ceremony was attended by the Ambassadors of Central Asian countries to Japan, as well as Japan’s distinguished figures from the diplomatic service and representatives of academic community.

For reference: Yoriko Kawaguchi and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, while serving as Ministers of Foreign Affairs, together with representatives of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, officially launched the “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue on August 28, 2004, in Astana.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-tokyo/press/news/details/1207547?lang=kk