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2 June, 2008 2:54 PM
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Japan-Kyrgyzstan Relations
Diplomatic Relations 1992.01.26 Diplomatic Relations Begin Japanese Foreign Minister Michio Watanabe opened diplomatic relations with Kyrgyzstan, simultaneously with Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine. This event took place in Moscow, where Japanese Ambassador Sumio Edamura was also present for the ceremony.
Since Kyrgyzstan emerged as an independent republic and direct diplomatic relations began in January 1992, the bilateral relationship has been a friendly one. Unlike the other new Central Asian republics, Kyrgyzstan made a serious effort at creating an open economy and an open society. In comparison to its neighbors, it therefore became something of the darling of the West, including Japan. The only serious crisis to hit Japan-Kyrgyz relations was the hostage affair of 1999, which may have led some Japanese to regard Kyrgyzstan as a rather insecure nation. The following is a summary of major bilateral events between 1992 and 2005: Japan Announces Its First Ever ODA to a Former Soviet Republic: April 22, 1993 Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa pledged to visiting President Akayev, US$60 million in ODA. This amount was matched by the International Development Association, providing Kyrgyzstan with US$120 million in total. This was the first Japanese ODA to a former Soviet Republic. Japan Supports Entry of Kyrgyzstan into ADB: April 29, 1993 There were some issues regarding former Soviet Republics entering the Asian Development Bank (ADB) because they were already members of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). However, President Akayev requested Japanese support in its membership process, and Japanese prime minister pledged Japanese cooperation. ADB President Kimimasa Tarumizu announced Kyrgyzstan’s membership in the ADB. Introduction of the Kyrgyz Som: May 1993 Kyrgyzstan becomes the first country in Central Asia to introduce its own currency from the Soviet/Russian ruble. Japan played an important role in this process, most prominently through supporting the exchange rate of 4 Soms to 1 US dollar. Japan provided US$400 million to back up the currency, jointly with the IMF and the World Bank. To follow up later in the year, in October 1993, the Bank of Japan sent several executives to the Kyrgyz Central Bank on a long term basis. Modernization of Manas International Airport: June 1996 Japan (via JBIC) signed a 5,454 million yen loan (about US$45.5 million) to the Kyrgyz government / Kyrgyzstan Airlines for the modernization of Manas International Airport in Bishkek, which was initially built in 1974. The international airport is a crucial enabler allowing travel and transport, as Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked state. The project was completed in November 1999. Osh-Bishkek Highway Reconstruction with Japanese Support: September 1998 Kyrgyzstan successfully raised investment totaling US$110 for the rehabilitation of the Osh-Bishkek Highway. This connects the second largest city in the country, in the south-central Kyrgyzstan, with Bishkek, the capital in the north. Japan provided US$41 million, and the ADB provided US$50 million in loans, supplemented by US$19 million from the Kyrgyz government. The ADB also provided a grant of US$600,000 from its Japan Special Fund to cover technical assistance. Joint Statement on Friendship and Cooperation: October 27, 1998 President Akayev and Prime Minister Obuchi signed a joint statement on friendship and cooperation between Japan and Kyrgyzstan. It called for expanded relations in economic, political, and cultural fields. Four Japanese Geologists Taken Hostage in Kyrgyzstan: August to October 1999 Four Japanese geologists were taken hostage by Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan guerillas that entered southern Kyrgyzstan through Tajikistan. The Japanese hostages were captured by the militants along with Kyrgyz policemen. They were released after two months. There was some controversy surrounding a ransom payment, which Japan has officially denied. Some sources claimed it amounted to US$3 to 5 million. The Mainichi Shinbun reported that no ransom was paid to the guerillas; however, a large amount of money “ended up in the pockets of high ranking Kyrgyz and Tajik officials.” Kyrgyz Republic-Japan Center for Human Development, Bishkek: March 18, 2003 Located in Kyrgyz National University, Bishkek, this center trains specialists in facilitating business in the Kyrgyz Republic, and between the republic and Japan. It also promotes mutual understanding and friendship through cultural programs and Japanese language programs. It is open to the public. JICA and the Kyrgyz government signed an agreement to establish this center. Central Asia Plus Japan Dialogue Launched: August 28, 2004 The first meeting of the Central Asia-Japan Dialogue was held in Astana. The foreign ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Japan attended this regional framework, as well as counterparts from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. A Russian deputy foreign minister also attended. This forum was created through Japan’s efforts to engage Kyrgyzstan from a regional standpoint, beyond bilateral relations. It has ambitious plans for expansion towards more regular meetings at the ministerial level, as well as for higher-level meetings.
1992
-- Foreign Minister Michio Watanabe Visits Bishkek
Japan’s economy is significantly larger than that of Kyrgyzstan. The Japanese GDP is US$4 trillion, and the Kyrgyz is US$10 billion. Bilateral trade is minor for both Kyrgyzstan and Japan. In 2005, Japan’s exports to the Kyrgyz Republic were valued at about US$2 million; and Japan’s imports from Kyrgyzstan were less than US$1 million. Japanese trade with Kyrgyzstan was statistically shown as 0% because it held less than 0.1% share of Japanese imports and exports (Japanese Trade in 2005, JETRO). Also, for Kyrgyzstan, trade with Japan was also statistically close to zero. The Kyrgyz Republic has made significant progress in establishing a stable and open economy. While its economy still requires reform and the Kyrgyz Republic is considered one of the poorer countries in Central Asia, it is the only country of the region that is a member of the WTO (accession in 1998). A UN report on Central Asian economies has said, “Kyrgyzstan's status as a WTO member state has made it an important gateway for Chinese exporters and buyers in other Central Asian countries, as the country tries to become the de facto trading center in the region.
Embassy of Kyrgyzstan in Tokyo
JICA
in Bishkek
None 2006 Newsletters 165
-- Japan’s Central Asian Diplomacy 2007 Newsletters 507
-- Central Asia Plus Japan Update Information for the “Japan-Kyrgyzstan Relations” page was compiled by Takuya Murata and Michael Penn.
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