Relations of Tajikistan with Japan

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and Japan were established on February 2, 1992.

Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan opened in Japan on November 28, 2007. Embassy of Japan opened in Dushanbe on January 26, 2002.

The current Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to Japan is Mirzosharif Jalolov (as of 2018) and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Tajikistan is Aiki Toshihiro (as of 2022).

During this period of diplomatic relations, the sides created a good basis for the further deepening of practical cooperation and the most important - the high level of partnership, mutual trust and respect.

Important phase in bilateral relations was highlighted by the official visits of the Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan to Japan, including the official visit on 3-5 October 2018. The results of this visit gave a new impetus to the development of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Japan.

The first official visit of the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe to the Republic of Tajikistan on October 24, 2015 gave boost to the development of friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthening of the legal-treaty basis of cooperation, and opened a new phase for their further expansion.

Parliamentary Friendship League between the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan and National Diet of Japan was established in 2008. The first meeting of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with the participation of delegations of the two countries was held on March 6, 2019 in Tokyo and its second meeting on August 2, 2022 in Dushanbe.

Further development of bilateral relations was also facilitated by official visits of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan to Japan (including in 2014) and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan to the Republic of Tajikistan (including in 2019).

Tajikistan and Japan regularly hold political consultations, which serve as an important mechanism for strengthening and further development of relations. To date, three rounds of political consultations have been held (in 2013, 2018 and 2021) between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan and Japan.

First meeting of Intergovernmental Commission between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of Japan on economic, scientific and technical cooperation held in Tokyo on April 14, 2017.

The basis of the legal framework between two countries consists of more than 65 Intergovernmental Agreements.

The Republic of Tajikistan and Japan cooperate within the framework of the UN and other international organizations as well as international financial institutions. The two countries have the same or close positions on many international and regional issues and reiterate their support for each other's candidacies and initiatives within the framework of international organizations.

An important platform for cooperation is the Central Asia + Japan Dialogue, in the framework of which was held 7th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of Central Asia and Japan in Dushanbe on May 16-17, 2019.

An important platform for cooperation is the Central Asia + Japan Dialogue. This regional multilateral format of cooperation has been operating since 2004, within the framework of which meetings are held at the level of experts, deputy ministers and foreign ministers of the countries participating in the Dialogue. On May 16-17, 2019, the 7th meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the countries participating in the Dialogue "Central Asia + Japan" was held in Dushanbe. The 8th meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the countries participating in the Dialogue "Central Asia + Japan" was held virtually on April 15, 2022. Also, on December 24, 2022 in Tokyo the 9th Meeting of Foreign Ministers «Central Asia + Japan» Dialogue was held. During the meeting, the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the region and the strengthening of international and regional relations were discussed.

Office of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Tajikistan was established in 2006 and its activities promote strengthening of bilateral cooperation and contribute to the development of the social sectors of Tajikistan.

Bilateral cooperation in education sector systematically developing since 1993. From that moment till now more than 2500 specialists from Tajikistan participated in various training courses in Japan. Since 2009 positive contribution is brought by the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship by Japanese Grant Aid (JDS) through capacity building of young specialists in international relations, law, economic and management areas.

Bilateral cooperation in transport sector is developing starting from 1999. Improvement of Dusty-Panji Poyon road, Bokhtar-Dusty road and construction of new Cargo Terminal under the Project for improvement of Dushanbe International Airport are an example of cooperation.

Cooperation between Tajikistan and Japan in transport sector is developing starting from 1999. To date, small and large projects have been implemented within the framework of grant and technical assistance, including grant projects for the reconstruction of the Dusti-Panji Poyon road (1 and 2 phases), Bokhtar-Dusti, the construction of a Cargo Terminal at Dushanbe International Airport and a section of the Kizilkala - Bokhtar of the Dushanbe-Bokhtar international road.

The Government of Japan constantly contributes for the improvement of water supply systems in certain regions of Tajikistan. The "Project for Rehabilitation of Drinking Water Supply Systems in Pyanj District, Khatlon Region of Tajikistan" is awarded by the Japanese Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE) as the best project in the field of civil construction implemented by Japanese companies abroad.

Cooperation in energy sector is gradually expanding. The implementation of the project "Improvement of Substations in Dushanbe" is a good example of cooperation in this direction.

Operation of the first Tajik-Japanese pharmaceutical joint venture company "Avvalin" that established in Khatlon Region with the participation of the Japanese company “Cockey Sytems Ltd.” makes significant contribution to the development of economic relations.

The trade turnover between Tajikistan and Japan for 2021 amounted over $88 million USD and over $67 million USD in the period of January-August 2022.

20.11.2023