On the sidelines of the Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue Summit, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon held high-level talks in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, focusing on expanding Tajikistan–Japan cooperation across a broad range of sectors.
President Rahmon thanked Takaichi for the warm reception and for Japan’s effective organization of the landmark “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue (CA+JAD), The Caspian Post reports, citing Tajik media.
The discussions centered on strengthening bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on economic, technological, and humanitarian cooperation.
Both sides reviewed the work of the Intergovernmental Commission, prospects for enhancing inter-parliamentary dialogue, and expanding engagement through the Inter-parliamentary Friendship Group. They expressed interest in boosting trade, investment, and infrastructure development, including a proposal to adopt a Program of Trade and Economic Cooperation for 2026–2028.
Attracting Japanese investment and advanced technologies to Tajikistan was a key focus of the talks. The sides discussed preferential financing and the participation of Japanese companies in joint ventures in electronics, automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, mineral processing, and agriculture. President Rahmon also underscored the growing importance of the digital economy and artificial intelligence for Tajikistan’s long-term development.
Agribusiness cooperation featured prominently, with potential projects in cotton, cocoon, fruit and vegetable, and medicinal plant processing aimed at increasing value-added production. Tourism was identified as another priority, with Tajikistan seeking Japanese support in developing ecological, mountaineering, and recreational tourism.
The leaders also addressed cultural and educational exchanges, including expanding scholarship opportunities for Tajik students in areas such as medicine, aviation technology, information security, and environmental protection. Both sides praised close cooperation within international and regional organizations, including the United Nations, and reaffirmed mutual support for global initiatives.
Takaichi welcomed the signing of cooperation documents across multiple sectors and noted progress under the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue. She expressed Japan’s interest in deepening cooperation on critical minerals and strengthening economic ties under the newly signed investment liberalization and protection agreement.
Japan also welcomed the launch of official development assistance projects to build a new power transmission substation in Dushanbe and to supply large X-ray equipment for railway border customs, aimed at improving regional connectivity and supporting the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.
Concluding the meeting, President Rahmon extended an official invitation to Prime Minister Takaichi to visit Tajikistan, signaling both sides’ intention to elevate bilateral relations to a new level.
