Kazakhstan and japan cooperation in the field of security

The article gives an analysis of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Japan in the field of security. Japan’s rich experience in the field of effective use of industrial potential, innovative and technological development is of considerable interest to other states. Among them is Kazakhstan, which has embarked on the course of industrial and innovative development of the economy and has been implemented the Strategy as one of the 50 most competitive countries in the world. At present, accelerated development of technological and scientific and technical spheres for the purpose of creating efficient, competitive productions is of priority importance for the economy of the republic. In this regard, the relevance of further development of relations with Japan is greatly enhanced for Kazakhstan. The economic potential of Kazakhstan and Japan promotes security at different levels.

Hypothesis: It should be expected that the achievement of the highest level of cooperation between countries such as Japan and Kazakhstan is a strong economic potential and stable foreign policy, closely linked to the success of security at various levels.

So, how true this hypothesis can be verified by analyzing the cooperation between Kazakhstan and Japan.

The purpose of this work: the analysis of relations between Kazakhstan and Japan.

At first, it’s necessary to consider diplomatic relations between these countries. Diplomatic relations with Japan were established on January 26, 1992. In 1994, the Joint Statement was signed, in which both sides affirmed their commitment to a policy of mutually beneficial cooperation, security and peace. In 1997, in the foreign policy concepts “Eurasian diplomacy” and “Diplomacy of the Silk Road”, the policy towards the Central Asian region was divided into three areas: a political dialogue to deepen trust and mutual understanding; economic cooperation and cooperation in the development of natural resources to ensure prosperity in the region; the achievement of peace in the region through the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, democratization and stabilization [1]. In 2009, to enhance the effectiveness of trade and economic cooperation, the Joint Commission of the Government and Private Sectors of Kazakhstan and Japan on Economic Cooperation was established. In 2014, the Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments was signed.

Significant progress has been made in the development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation: in Japan, events are held on the socioeconomic development of Kazakhstan, its natural wealth, the contribution of the republic to the strengthening of global security, inter-ethnic harmony. Within the framework of security cooperation in July 2014, participants in the dialogue “Central Asia + Japan” reached an agreement on combating drugs and border control on cooperation in solving problems related to international terrorism. Priority aspects of activity include: the opening of joint ventures producing communication systems, optoelectronic devices, aviation equipment; the development of a peacekeeping component and military education, the organization of military exercises; transfer of experience and technology protection of the environment [2]. There are a number of factors limiting the cooperation of Japan and Kazakhstan: an insufficiently capacious market due to the small number of the population of Kazakhstan; Low transportation efficiency due to geographical distance, lack of direct access to the sea; dependence on transit routes [3]. Nevertheless, relations between Japan and Kazakhstan can be described as positively developing. At the present stage, there are no major contradictions or fundamental problems in the political sphere between Japan and the countries of Central Asia. Priority interests of Japan in Central Asia are mainly reduced to strengthening friendly relations with Asian countries, including with the Republic of Kazakhstan [4].

Relying on the work of A. Jekshenkulov [5], M.S. Imanaliev [6], Z. Saidov [7], K.K. Tokaev [8], the authors give a fairly complete idea of the official status of the entire range of political, economic and cultural ties, they also provide information on the most important documents regulating bilateralrelations, the official chronicle of reciprocal visits and the chronology of external events. The monographs of the authors are interesting and useful material and provide an exhaustive picture of the views and opinions on the policies pursued by the states of Central Asia, the significance of financial and other assistance in the development of independent states in the region. One more important moment in cooperation between Kazakhstan and Japan should be noted. In February 2017, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Major-General Talgat Mukhtarov, met with the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Japan in Kazakhstan, Ichiro Kawabata [9]. During the meeting, current issues of bilateral military cooperation were discussed. Another topic raised for discussion within the framework of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum between the defense ministries of Kazakhstan and Japan in the field of defense cooperation and cooperation. The draft of this document was developed and agreed upon by the parties earlier.

Table 1 Bilateral military cooperation

According to SWOT-analysis, cooperation between Kazakhstan and Japan is developing dynamically, especially in the field of security. It is necessary to note food and water security. Japan in the framework of the Central Asia + Japan Dialogue, the policy course adopted in 2004 by the Japanese government towards Central Asia, intends to develop a political dialogue with the states of the region in order to deepen trust and mutual understanding, strives to promote the development of natural resources, considering this as a way to improving the well-being of the region. Japan contributes to solving the water environmental problems of Central Asia through participation in major international organizations such as the United Nations, the Asian Development Bank(ADB), various cooperation programs, international forums, JICA the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Asia-Pacific Forum, the World Water Forum, Global Water Partnership. Japan ranks second in the world in terms of monetary contributions to such international organizations. The Japanese scientists have been dealing with the Aral Sea for many years. Even before independence in 1990, the international round table “How to save the Aral?” Was held in Almaty for the first time. It was organized on the initiative of the Kazakh Association specifically for the UN. As a result, it was planned to establish the Aral Sea Center in the UNEP (UN Water Program) structure, which was to accelerate the implementation of the Aral project.

Food security, Japan intends to help to Kazakhstan’s agricultural scientists. Agriculture is an important economic sector for the modern economy. This decision will help to establish a strong connection between scientists of Kazakhstan and Japan in the field of agriculture and not only.

As noted in the press service of the ministry, Kazakhstan is actively developing international military and military-technical cooperation based on foreign policy and economic expediency with a view to balancing the tasks of ensuring military security of the state. At present, military cooperation between Kazakhstan and Japan is at the development stage. Activation is observed in such areas as military medicine and peacekeeping training. Exactly these directions are of mutual interest in the development of cooperation between the defenses departments of the two countries.

It should be noted that to date Kazakhstan and Japan have been implementing a close partnership in the field of ensuring international security, including the official support of both countries for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. In addition, Kazakhstan and Japan are active in the economic and political fields. From 2005 to September 2016, about 523.5 million US dollars of Japanese capital was attracted to the economy of Kazakhstan. The average annual growth rate of gross FDI from Japan from 2005 to 2016 is 1.8%.

So, for 2016 in Kazakhstan there are more than 60 enterprises with the participation of Japanese capital, engaged in such spheres. 

Table 2 Participation of Japanese capital engaged in spheres

Kazakhstan is Japan’s largest trade and economic partner in Central Asia. The volume of mutual trade for 2015 amounted to almost 1.5 billion US dollars.

According to the statistics agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan [10], the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Japan reached $ 1443.10 million. Of these, 858.6 million exports, 584.5 million imports, and the surplus for Kazakhstan was $ 274.1 million. In 2014, the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Japan amounted to 1665.8 million dollars, exports 741 million, imports 924.8 million US dollars. In 2013, the trade turnover between the countries amounted to 1706.30 million US dollars, of which exports amounted to 627.8 million dollars, imports 1078.5 million dollars.

Table 3 Some examles

An important factor in the development of investment cooperation between the two countries was the implementation of projects within the framework of Japan’s economic assistance. Currently, the Japanese program «Official Development Assistance» (ODA) is being actively implemented, under which more than 102 billion yen (over $ 1 billion) were allocated to Kazakhstan by the Japanese government [11].

The main lines of funding for this program were:

• Yen loans
• Grant Assistance
• Technical cooperation
• Cultural grants
• «grass roots» projects

Yen loans are provided to Kazakhstan by the government of Japan on concessional terms, mainly for the implementation of infrastructure development projects. This line has been allocated 88.8 billion yen for the implementation of the following projects:

• Development of railway transport capacities (7.23 billion yen);
• Construction of a bridge over the Irtysh River (21, 53 billion);
• Reconstruction of roads in Western Kazakhstan (16.54 billion);
• Reconstruction of the international airport of Astana (22.12 billion);
• Water supply and sanitation in Astana (21.36 billion).

Drawing a conclusion on this research, weput forward the hypothesis. In fact, countries with dynamic economic potential and peacekeeping policies contribute to an effective security and large-scale problems, the main one of which is nuclear disarmament. Based on materials during the analysis, we can safely say that Kazakhstan and Japan are bright examples of stability, prosperity and progress in various spheres of life. Most importantly, they are guarantors in ensuring security not only at the regional level, but also global as a whole. It should be noted that for our country, which is only 26 years old, every cooperation with the countries of the world is a positive and right direction in development. And the evaluation of a developed country in this case of a country like Japan in relation to our country is a powerful motivation in the desire to be not only a progressive country, but also make a truly worth, while contribution to global development. Not so much in development as it is now necessary to maintain order and security in the world, which is the number one problem in the world.

When analyzing this topic, we can note that this topicwasinteresting to know about the details of the cooperation between these countries (namely the history of establishing relations between countries). During the work there were no obstacles, sources for information was enough. The work wasvery productive.

We didn’t know about the facts of humanitarian aid to Japan of our country during the closing of the Semipalatinsk test site and about the fact of contributing to Kazakhstan’s radiological medicine.

Wewould like to know how quickly and effectively Japan will act in the event of a threat to Kazakhstan’s security (for example, threats from China, one of Japan’s main partners). In this case, Japan should be the main mediator in resolving this kind of conflict.

In addition, one of the main drawbacks is geographical remoteness, in this regard, as a recommendation, can serve as apreferential treatment to both countries for air transport for citizens and for the transportaion of goods through ports.

REFERENCES

1. Tomohiko Japan’s policy towards Kazakhstan: is there a “strategy”? // Strategic perspectives: leading powers, Kazakhstan and the Central Asian hub / edited by R. Legvold.
2. American Academy of Humanitarian and Exact Sciences, 2003. -297
3. The official website of the Japanese Embassy in Kazakhstan. Access mode URL: http://www.mofa.go.jp (Accessed 11.2017).
4. Mileev The relationship between Japan and the SCO.Center for Studies of General Problems of the Modern East, IAS RAS. Access mode URL: http://www.vostokoved.ru/ (Accessed 28.11.2017).
5. Watanabe K. Japan and the New Central Asia, in Sherman Garnett et al. The New Central Asia: In Search of Stability. New York, Paris and Tokyo: The Trilateral Commission, 2000. – P.39, 45-49.
6. Jekshenkulov New independent states of Central Asia in the world community. Moscow-Bishkek, 2000. – 356 p.
7. Imanaliev Essays on the foreign policy of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek, 2002. – 530 p. 7 Saidov Z. Interstate relations of the Republic of Tajikistan in bilateral format. -Dushanbe, 2001. – 230 p.
8. Tokayev K.Under the banner of independence: Essays on the foreign policy of Kazakhstan. Almaty, 1997. – 330
9. Kazakhstan and Japan will develop military cooperation. Access mode URL: http://www.inform.kz/ru/ (Accessed 11.2017).
10. Kazakhstan-Japan: cooperation in the century of prosperity in Access mode URL: http://www.kazpravda.kz/ (Accessed 28.11.2017).
11. Тойганбаева А.Е., Андижанов А.Т Перспективы адаптации опыта модернизации стран Юго-Восточной Азии в Республике Казахстан //Известия КазУМОиМЯ имени Абылай хана. Серия «Международные Отношения и Регионоведения». №1(19). – 2015. – С.52-61.