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EurasiaNet Business & Economics - East Asian States Strive to Raise Their Economic Profile in Central Asia

EurasiaNet Business & Economics - East Asian States Strive to Raise Their Economic Profile in Central Asia: "A rivalry among East Asian states is intensifying over access to Central Asian energy. China to this point has been the clear leader among East Asian states in Central Asia. But Japan, South Korea and Malaysia are stepping up efforts to attract the attention of Central Asian energy suppliers.

Tsutomu Saito, editor in chief of the Japanese newspaper Sankei Shimbun, recently told a Central Asian audience that those countries 'should stop cooperating with China within the [context of the] Shanghai Cooperation Organization' and embark upon a broader program of trade with Asian states including Japan. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Saito’s remarks underscored the fact that Japan is actively trying to raise its Central Asian profile.

Tokyo’s efforts have already produced some results. In early May, for example, Japanese and Kazakhstani officials signed a memorandum of understanding on projects relating to the peaceful uses of atomic energy. In addition, Japan is investing in Kazakh uranium mining operations in two sectors of the Mynuduk field. Those operations are expected to commence later in June. Overall, Japan has expressed interest in completing 24 atomic-energy related projects in Kazakhstan."

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