The president's visit N.A. Nazarbayev to Japan was an important contribution to the further development of relations between Japan, Kazakhstan and the other Central Asian countries. The visit culminated in the signing of an important statement “On special strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Japan in the Asian century of prosperity.” At present, Central Asia continued to show dynamic growth rates. Many leading Japanese universities are studying Central Asia, culture and business opportunities in the region.

     18-19 of February 2017 the Far East Department(Faculty of Oriental Studies) Al-Farabi Kazakh National University had an international scientific-practical conference “Japanese studies in Central Asia: Present and Prospects”. Conference sponsor - Toshiba International Foundation (Japan).

    This conference is a platform for the presentation of scientific progress and the results of research under the theme: “Japan and the Japanese language” teachers and young scientists of Kazakhstan and Central Asia, as well as Japanese scientists interested in research issues of language, culture and literature of Central Asia.

    The main goal is to increase the level and activation of research and educational processes on Japanese culture, literature, language, history and economics in said region. As well as, exchange of experience and views on the practice and trends in the development of social partnership as a factor in improving the quality of education, to discuss ways and prospects of interaction between education, science and industry.

   The conference was opened with a welcoming speech from the dean of the Faculty of Oriental studies B.N. Zhubatova (Doctor of Philology, Professor from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University). Advisor of Ambassador of Japan Yasumasa Iijima had a congratulatory speech.

   The conference was divided into 2 main sections: “Methodological aspects in modern studies of Japanese Studies,” “Academic research experience of Japanese Studies in Kazakhstan.”

   The conference was attended by Professor of Slavic-Eurasian Research Center, Hokkaido University, Japanese historian who studies the history of “Alash” Tomohiko Yamo; professor at the University of Tsukuba Ono Masaki, a doctoral student of the University of Tsukuba Banbaylen R., an expert of the International Foundation of Japan in the Kyrgyz-Japan Center for Human Development Munakata Minami, chairman of the Kyrgyz Association of Japanese Language Teachers G. Vorobyov, a teacher of the Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies G. Kurbanov, the teacher of the Uzbek National University of world languages ​​Turapova N., professors of the Eurasian national University. LN Gumilyov Kuanyshbek J. and G. Uteulieva, leading researcher of Oriental Studies Institute. R.B.Suleymenova KH MES Shaimardanova N., teaching staff and young scientists of the Far East Department.