This year, Dushanbe and Tokyo celebrate the 32nd anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between our countries. How did it all start and where are we today?
In February 1992, Japan became one of the first countries to officially recognize the young, independent state of Tajikistan. Representatives from the Land of the Rising Sun, along with envoys from other countries, made significant contributions to establishing peace during the challenging years of the civil conflict in Tajikistan.
In Tajikistan, the memory of Professor Akino Yutaka from the University of Tsukuba is still honored today. He was a member of the UN observer mission and tragically died in 1998 along with three colleagues at the hands of militants...
Over the past three decades, two countries have established strong partnerships based on mutual respect. Japan has become one of Tajikistan's main development partners, generously sharing its experience, knowledge, and resources.
"Western Country" from the East
Japan plays a unique role in Central Asia. It is the only Asian country in the club of the world's seven most developed countries - G7. This "Asian origin," in the context of the intensified East-West confrontation in recent years, makes Japan a comfortable "Western" partner for Tajikistan and other countries in the region.
Like other G7 countries, Japan has a powerful economy, developed democratic institutions, and is a world leader in technological progress. However, Japan has not pronounced geopolitical ambitions in the region and understands the "growing pains" of Central Asian countries, providing assistance without stringent political conditions.
Through the "Central Asia + Japan" dialogue, launched in 2004, official Tokyo consistently advocates for the region to strengthen its independence and self-sufficiency. This idea was clearly articulated in 2006 by Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso: "Central Asia should not be forced to submit to the interests of external countries in the new 'Great Game.'"
This position was echoed during the 2015 visit to the region by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe: “Central Asia should be open, stable, and self-sufficient”.
Course for Development
These statements from official Tokyo are backed by real actions. Over the past three decades, Japan has supported hundreds of projects in Tajikistan aimed at developing various sectors of the national economy, strengthening human capital, and the social sphere. As of the 2021 fiscal year, Japan has provided over $462 million in aid to Tajikistan, including $360 million in grants and $102 million in technical assistance, improving lives in various spheres. ( Japan's ODA Data by Country, 2022)
Infrastructure: Japan funds the construction of roads, bridges, power plants, and other essential facilities, improving the water supply and sanitation systems, thus enhancing the quality of life.
Healthcare: Japan helps equip hospitals and clinics with modern equipment, improve the qualifications of specialists, and enhance disease prevention systems. New medical centers and clinics have been built in various regions, and critical assistance was provided during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Education: Japan has built dozens of schools in rural areas, equipped with everything necessary for modern education, and offers scholarships for Tajik students to study at top Japanese universities.
Agriculture: Japan shares its advanced technologies and knowledge to help Tajik farmers increase productivity and improve product quality, developing storage and processing infrastructure for agricultural products.
"They Return as Different People!"
Most projects in Tajikistan are supported through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). JICA focuses on the preparation of specialists for various sectors, providing 15 scholarships annually for Tajik public servants to pursue master's and doctoral degrees in Japan, along with various training courses for about 100 people each year. Over 2500 Tajik specialists have received education and retraining in Japan, many of whom now hold high positions in Tajik ministries and departments.
The importance of training Tajik personnel in Japan is confirmed by the Tajik embassy in Tokyo, which opened in 2007. Former Aambassador Mirzosharif Jalolov, a participant in the educational program himself who led the Tajik mission in Japan from in 2018-2024 emphasizes the transformative impact of this experience on the participants.
"Due to my line of work, I met many of our young specialists in Japan when they come here to study, and then I see how they return to Tajikistan after a few months. They are completely different people - with shining eyes, a new worldview, and new knowledge!" - the ambassador says enthusiastically.
Embassy of Japan and Grassroots Projects
Special mention deserves the activity of the Japanese embassy in Tajikistan, which has been doing good deeds for many years for the most remote regions of our country. While JICA implements large-scale projects at the government and national level, the Japanese embassy funds small but very important facilities in Khatlon, Sughd, Republican Subordination Districts (RRP) and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO).
According to Japanese Ambassador Toshihiro Aiki, such projects at the embassy are called grassroots projects. Each year, up to two million dollars are allocated to finance 10-15 such projects. Typically, this money is used to build schools and medical posts in remote villages. Over the years, the embassy has supported 459 local projects worth over 38 million dollars. As a result, tens of thousands of Tajik children have been able to attend new schools, and thousands of rural residents have gained access to primary medical care.
32 years is a short period by historical standards. But during these years, Tajikistan and Japan have traveled a long way from the first steps of cooperation to a strong partnership in various fields. This is a vivid example of how two countries, different in culture and history, can successfully cooperate for the benefit of their peoples.
