President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov departed for a working visit to Japan on December 17 to attend the inaugural Central Asia + Japan Dialogue summit at the leaders’ level, according to state media reports from Turkmenistan and Japan.
The landmark summit, scheduled for 19-20 December in Tokyo, will be chaired by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister. It marks the first time the “Central Asia plus Japan” framework—established in 2004—has convened at the heads-of-state level. Leaders from the five Central Asian nations (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) will join Prime Minister Takaichi to discuss promoting autonomous and sustainable development in the region, while reaffirming cooperation in strengthening the international order based on the rule of law.
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that a parallel Central Asia + Japan Business Forum will be organized by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Prime Minister Takaichi is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with each Central Asian leader to address strengthening ties, international issues, and mutual priorities.
Deep-Rooted Turkmenistan-Japan Partnership
Turkmenistan and Japan enjoy a longstanding strategic partnership built on mutual respect and equality. Key milestones include the 2009 official visit by then-President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, which laid the foundation for long-term industrial collaboration.
Cooperation within international frameworks, including the CA+Japan, supports global sustainable development goals. Major joint projects with Japanese firms such as Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Corporation, Itochu, and Sojitz have transformed Turkmenistan’s energy and industrial sectors:
- The world’s unique gas-to-gasoline plant in Ovadan-Depe, producing eco-friendly fuel.
- A polymer plant in Kiyanly.
- A urea fertilizer facility in Garabogaz.
These initiatives have boosted Turkmenistan’s export potential and advanced its industrial diversification.
Humanitarian ties are also expanding. The Oghuz Khan Engineering and Technology University in Ashgabat follows Japanese educational standards. Japanese language programs are offered in Turkmen institutions, and students pursue internships at top Japanese universities.
This marks President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s second visit to Japan in 2025, following his April participation in Turkmenistan’s National Day at Expo 2025 in Osaka.///nCa, 18 December 2025