ISTANBUL

Japan and five Central Asian countries on Saturday announced new initiatives, including strengthening critical minerals supply chains, after holding a maiden summit in Tokyo.

The Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue brought together Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Zhaparov, Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan's President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The initiatives encompass the newly identified three priority cooperation areas including, Green and Resilience, Connectivity, and Human Resource Development, according to a statement from the Japanese Prime Minister's office.

Green and Resilience include cooperation on energy transition, disaster risk reduction, climate change measures, and strengthening critical minerals supply chains, while connectivity incorporates further development of the "Trans-Caspian International Transport Route," and launch of the "Japan-Central Asia AI Cooperation Partnership," according to the statement.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate in health and medical fields as well as setting a target for 3 trillion yen ($19 billion) in business projects over the next five years, it said.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi said: "Central Asia’s presence in the international arena has increased, against the backdrop of changes in the international situation within and surrounding the region over the past 21 years."

He stressed the region's importance due to its position as the junction between Europe and Asia, its importance in economic security due to its energy and mineral resources, and its potential with high economic growth and population increase.

During the meeting, more than 150 documents were also signed and presented by both the public and private sectors, the statement said.

Takaichi also held one-on-one meetings with the Central Asian leaders.