Japan's Foreign Minister Motegi to Visit Turkmenistan August 29-30
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Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi will visit Ashgabat on August 29-30, the first such visit in nine years. The visit aims to deepen strategic ties, focusing on economic cooperation, regional connectivity, and emerging technologies. Motegi's article in Neutral Turkmenistan highlights Japan's recognition of Central Asia's growing strategic importance.
Key Facts
- Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi will visit Ashgabat on August 29-30, the first visit by a Japanese foreign minister to Turkmenistan in nine years.
- Motegi's article in Neutral Turkmenistan describes the bilateral relationship as built over more than three decades on friendship, trust, and mutual benefit.
- Japan launched the 'Central Asia plus Japan' Dialogue in 2004, becoming the first country to establish such a format with the region.
- In December 2025, Tokyo hosted the first-ever summit of the 'Central Asia plus Japan' Dialogue, attended by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan.
- Japan co-sponsored the UN General Assembly resolution on Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality adopted in March 2025.
Bilateral Relations
Japan and Turkmenistan are entering a new stage in their bilateral relationship, with economic cooperation, regional connectivity, international diplomacy, and emerging technologies set to feature prominently during the visit. Motegi described the relationship as one built over more than three decades on friendship, trust, and mutual benefit. Japan was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan following its independence in 1992. Since then, the two countries have expanded cooperation across political, economic, and humanitarian spheres.
Central Asia Dialogue
Motegi placed bilateral relations within the broader transformation taking place across Central Asia, noting the region's sustained economic growth and its increasingly important role as a trade bridge between Europe and Asia. In 2004, Tokyo launched the 'Central Asia plus Japan' Dialogue, becoming the first country to establish such a format with the region. Over more than two decades, the dialogue has developed into a regular diplomatic platform, including 10 foreign ministers' meetings, some held online, as well as numerous political consultations and humanitarian exchanges. A major milestone came in December 2025, when Tokyo hosted the first-ever summit of the 'Central Asia plus Japan' Dialogue, attended by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan.
Neutrality Cooperation
Motegi highlighted Turkmenistan's policy of permanent neutrality as an important dimension of the bilateral relationship. Last year marked 30 years since the United Nations General Assembly formally recognized Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality in 1995. Japan highly values Ashgabat's diplomatic efforts to promote peace and stability amid a complex geopolitical environment. Japan was among the co-sponsors of the UN General Assembly resolution on Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality adopted in March 2025.
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Japan's Foreign Minister Motegi to Visit Turkmenistan August 29-30
