Daily Times

The relations between Japan and Central Asian Republics date back to the history of Silk Road. The new phase of relations began after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 when the states of the union declared their respective independence. Since then, the bilateral relations are thriving and progressing smoothly.

The world powers deported Japanese prisoners of war to Central Asia after World War-II. They took part in the reconstructions there. Both developed a tolerant and mild attitude towards each other. In December 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbour. The US declared war on Japan. Its President Franklin D Roosevelt, in the capacity of Commander-in-Chief of the US forces, through an Executive Order, directed relocation of Japanese citizens outside the military zone of the Pacific Ocean.

In international relations, countries develop their relations based on mutual interests. Friendship may not be permanent as today’s friends may become enemies of tomorrow or vice-versa. The latest example is the involvement of the great powers in Afghanistan. When the former Soviet Union landed its forces in Afghanistan in December 1979, the United States and China helped Afghan Mujahideen to fight against the attackers. Now, in Afghanistan, the US is facing the opposition of Russia and China. Similarly, being part and parcel of the Soviet Union, Japan did not enjoy good relations with these states. However, after the independence, Japan and the Central Asian States have cordial and warm bilateral and multilateral relations.

The region of Central Asia borders with the Caspian Sea in the west, western China in the east, Russia in north and Afghanistan, China and Iran in the south. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan form parts of the region collectively called Central Asian Republics or States. According to one report, Kazakhstan possesses 15 percent of world’s uranium, and three and four percent of the world’s oil and coal respectively. The country has the largest chromites, zinc and lead reserves in the world. Five percent of the world’s natural gas reserves are located in Turkmenistan. Another country Uzbekistan has 0.8 percent of the natural gas reserves of the world. According to country’s Mineral Year Book 2010, Uzbekistan possesses 5300 metric tons of gold.

The Central Asian Republics will have to manage their respective affairs and attitudes carefully while attentively avoiding any conflict in the region

The region is also important strategically. Due to the natural reserves, common borders between China and CARs, the old part of the Great Game, the historical importance of the region, route of the oldest international highway, ie Silk Road and the presence of international forces led by the US, the region attends prime strategic significance.

These natural resources are mostly untapped. The oil reserves of the countries located on the Persian Gulf are main source of oil supply to the world. Thus, the importance of natural resources located in the region of Central Asia may not be ignored in the Great Game, global international affairs and meeting current and future energy requirements of the world.

The region of Central Asia possesses importance in the global international affairs. The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia elaborated his country’s interests in the region in 2004. He stated that security and stability of the states and development of their economic development are important. The US is fully aware of the importance of air bases in the states of the region in the wake of its presence in Afghanistan and Taliban’s resistance. China also has interests in the region. It wants security on its borders with the CARs. Moreover, China wants to thwart all attempts of the world powers for bringing the region under their sole dominancy. Moreover, China desires to benefit from the natural resources of the region. But Russia wants to maintain its control and influence on the republics.

CARs being newly independent states having weak economy needed the cooperation of other countries. Japan was one of the appropriate countries for the CARs. There were also other interests which prompted close relationship with Japan. Firstly, after the Soviet disintegration, Russia formed Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 1991. The Central Asian States became its members. The objectives of the organisation were to coordinate policies of the member states regarding defence, immigration, foreign relations and economies. The formation of CIS was held as Russia’s effort to maintain its control on the former Soviet states. Secondly, the CARs are part and parcel of Asia. It seems that the continent may play a pivotal role in shaping global affairs in future. In this scenario, Japan and CARs will be in need of each other. Thirdly, Japan is a model in human resources development. CARs may benefit from Japanese expertise for the development of human resources to translate it into capital. Fourthly, it seems there is trust deficit between Russia and CARs. They do not have the pleasant experience of the Soviet Union. Now Russia wants to maintain its influence on the countries disintegrated from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The CARs want to maintain their respective independence and sovereignty. For this, they need the help of the US, Japan and other countries. Lastly, the utilisation of natural resources located in the region and discovery of more natural resources require huge investment. Japan is one of world’s leading investors all over the world. Thus, the CARs may need Japanese economic assistance in this regard.

Japan has numerous interests in CARs. Firstly, Central Asian Republics area is self-sufficient in natural resources. Uranium reserves in Kazakhstan are essential for the atomic reactors of Japan. These reactors are the main source of generating electricity in the country. Secondly, Japan will also be interested in playing a role in the utilisation of these reserves for the peaceful purposes. Japan would not like to allow the terrorists access these reserves. Thirdly, Japan is an ally of the US under Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security signed in 1952. The CARs are also important for the US due to its global and regional interests and being former parts of the Soviet Union. Being allies, both the countries may help each other to achieve their respective and mutual interests in the region. Thirdly, after the end of the cold war, the world is still under the process of transformation. It may affect the CARs. Japan wants to protect its interests in the post-transformation scenario. Fourthly, the Russian Federation is trying to bridge the gap created in global affairs due to the Soviet Union debacle. Syria is its important example. The US, Japan and other western and pro-US countries may not allow a resurgence of Russian Federation as the superpower. If this happens, interests of the US and Japan may become insecure. Fifthly, all the Central Asian Republics are landlocked countries. Their nearest and closest access to the warm waters is the seaports of Pakistan. The land route passes through Afghanistan to Pakistan. Thus, peaceful Afghanistan will be in the interests of Japan and CARs. Sixthly, Japan is embarked upon the “Asia Policy”. It seems that Japan expects greater role of CARs in the global affairs. Seventhly, Japan has territorial disputes with China and Russia separately. China’s initiative of One Belt One Road has political, economic and strategic objectives. It may put Japan’s interests in jeopardy. Japan, the U.S and India etc. want to contain the expanding sphere of influence in the region of Central Asia. Eighthly, due to oil, gas and uranium reserves the region of Central Asia is important for every country particularly for those having insufficient natural resources. It may initiate skirmishes in an expected block of China and Russia and the block led by the US. In this situation, Japan may play an important role. Lastly, China initiated Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and it came into existence in 2001. Security and economic cooperation are included in its agenda. The CARs are its members. It has increased influence of China in the region which may be a concern for Japan.

Japan established formal diplomatic relations with CARs in 1992. Both have political, economic, trade, cultural and strategic relations. Since then both have attained various milestones in their bilateral relations.

According to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, total Foreign Direct Investment of Japan in Kazakhstan was $470 million and 1.4 billion yen in Uzbekistan by 2016. By the same period, Japan imported commodities worth of 6.766 billion yen whereas exported commodities and goods worth of 9.411 billion yen. The figures show the balance of trade in favour of Japan. Export commodities of Japan to the region are motor vehicles, steel pipes and tubes, machinery for constructions and mining, rubber products, food and meat, etc. Ferroalloy, crude oil, petroleum chemical products, rubber manufactured goods, vegetable material and clothing form imports of Japan from the region.

Japan has initiated various special initiatives towards the region of Central Asia. It launched ‘Silk Road Diplomacy’ in 1997. After eight years, Japan initiated ‘Central Asia plus Japan’ dialogue in 2004.

The Prime Minister of Japan, Ryutaro Hashimoto, wanted to improve relations with newly independent countries through political and economic cooperation under the diplomacy. It was also aimed at creating a sphere of influence to achieve its interests in the region. Japan wants to extend technical support to the CARs for energy production. It is also to prevent increasing influence of China in the region.

The ‘Central Asia plus Japan’ dialogue was initiated when the Japanese foreign minister, Ms Yoriko Kawaguchi visited Central Asia in August 2004. She announced a two-pronged policy of Japan to the region which is known as ‘Central Asia plus Japan’. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan the policy consisted of ‘two pillars; to continue the effort for further enhancing bilateral relationships and to engage in dialogue with Central Asians countries’.

Japan and Central Asian relations will not only contribute them but also meet the energy requirements of the world. Moreover, the energy resources located in the region have brought the important world powers to Central Asia. They will have to manage their respective affairs and attitude carefully and attentively to avoid fire conflict in the region.

The writer is an author and has a doctorate in Political Science

Published in Daily Times, April 26^th 2018.