ASTANA – Japan is exploring opportunities to strengthen transport and trade links with Central Asia and the Caucasus through Kazakhstan’s Middle Corridor, with planned direct flights between Tokyo and Almaty and a proposed 719 million yen (US$4.7 million) project to modernize customs inspections at the Port of Aktau, reported the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ press service.
Aktau seaport. Photo credit: portaktau.kz. Click to see the map in full size.
The initiatives were discussed at a conference in Tokyo on Oct. 19, attended by nearly 100 representatives of Japanese government agencies, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the ROTOBO association and logistics companies.
The event focused on attracting Japanese investment into the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, and improving transport connectivity between Japan, Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Japan’s State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kei Takagi highlighted the route’s strategic importance for diversifying international transport and logistics networks. He said the Middle Corridor offers additional opportunities to strengthen Japan’s trade and economic ties with countries across the two regions.
Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Japan Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev and Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Farid Talibov presented their countries’ transport development strategies and discussed ways to improve logistics efficiency and expand international transport cooperation.
Japan plans to support customs modernization in Aktau
Japanese companies have conducted trial shipments along the Middle Corridor to assess delivery times, transportation costs, customs procedures and the quality of logistics services. The findings provided practical insight into the route’s performance and areas where efficiency could be improved.
One initiative focuses on customs infrastructure at the Port of Aktau, a key link in Kazakhstan’s transport network across the Caspian Sea. Japan plans to support the installation of a stationary, large-scale X-ray scanning system. The equipment is expected to reduce cargo inspection times by approximately threefold, helping improve customs processing and the efficiency of freight movement through the port.
The project forms part of broader efforts to make the Middle Corridor a more competitive option for international cargo flows as countries seek to diversify transport routes.
Direct flights to connect Almaty and Tokyo
The conference also addressed the planned launch of regular direct flights between Almaty and Tokyo’s Narita International Airport by Air Astana. The first flight from Almaty is scheduled for Nov. 30, with the return flight from Narita planned for Dec. 1. The airline intends to operate the route twice a week using Airbus A321LR aircraft.
The flight is expected to take seven hours and 30 minutes. The service will establish Kazakhstan’s first regular direct air connection with the Japanese capital, creating another link for business, tourism and broader bilateral exchanges.
Air Astana’s Senior Regional Manager for South Korea and Japan, Adel Dauletbek, presented the prospects for strengthening air connectivity during the conference.
Digital infrastructure adds another dimension
Participants also discussed the development of digital infrastructure along the Middle Corridor.
Baudarbek-Kozhatayev highlighted the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic communication line, which was officially commissioned in Baku on Oct. 15 with the participation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
The project is intended to expand international data exchange and strengthen the resilience of digital communications between countries in the region. Together, the transport, customs and digital infrastructure initiatives reflect efforts to strengthen Kazakhstan’s role as a transit link between Asia and Europe while expanding economic cooperation with Japan.
