Japan–Turkmenistan ties deepen on 30 years of neutrality and gas projects
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Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi will visit Turkmenistan from August 29 to 30, the first visit by a Japanese foreign minister in nine years. The visit highlights three decades of diplomatic relations and joint economic projects, including gas-to-gasoline and fertilizer plants. Japan co-sponsored the 2025 UN resolution reaffirming Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality.
Key Facts
- Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi will visit Turkmenistan from August 29 to 30, the first visit by a Japanese foreign minister in nine years.
- Japan established diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan in 1992, shortly after Turkmenistan gained independence.
- In December 2025, the first summit of the Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue was held in Tokyo with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in attendance.
- Japan co-sponsored the March 2025 UN General Assembly resolution on Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality.
- Japan and Turkmenistan have cooperated on large-scale projects including plants that process natural gas into gasoline and fertilizer.
Diplomatic Milestones
Japan was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan in 1992, shortly after its independence. In 2004, Japan launched the Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue, the first format of its kind for regional cooperation. The dialogue has held 10 foreign ministers' meetings, including online sessions, over more than 20 years. In December 2025, the first summit of the dialogue took place in Tokyo with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov participating.
Neutrality and UN Cooperation
Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality was formally recognized by a UN General Assembly resolution in 1995. In March 2025, Japan co-sponsored a UN General Assembly resolution on Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality and supported its adoption. Japan intends to continue working with Turkmenistan as an important partner to uphold a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
Economic Cooperation
Japan and Turkmenistan have achieved significant results in the economic sphere, including large-scale projects to build plants that process natural gas into gasoline and fertilizer. The combination of Japan's advanced technological capabilities and Turkmenistan's rich natural resources drives mutually beneficial economic interaction.
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Japan–Turkmenistan ties deepen on 30 years of neutrality and gas projects
