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The Prime Minister in Action
Japan-Kazakhstan Summit Meeting and Other Events
November 7, 2016
Photograph of the leaders shaking hands
Photograph of the Prime Minister welcoming the President of Kazakhstan
Photograph of the salute and the guard of honor (1)
Photograph of the salute and the guard of honor (2)
Photograph of the Japan-Kazakhstan Summit Meeting
Photograph of the leaders at the signing ceremony (1)
Photograph of the leaders at the signing ceremony (2)
Photograph of the leaders attending the signing ceremony (1)
Photograph of the leaders attending the signing ceremony (2)
Photograph of the leaders attending the signing ceremony (3)
Photograph of the joint press announcement
Photograph of the dinner banquet hosted by the Prime Minister
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address at the dinner banquet
[Provisional Translation]
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted a summit meeting and other events with H.E. Mr. Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The two leaders attended a salute and ceremony by the guard of honor and then held a summit meeting. After that, the leaders attended a signing ceremony and held a joint press announcement.
Lastly, the Prime Minister hosted a dinner banquet at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence and said the following in his address,
“I would like to once again welcome President Nazarbayev to Japan. It is a pleasure to be able to welcome you to Japan on this important milestone year of the 25th anniversary of the independence of Kazakhstan.
In our meeting earlier, we had extensive exchanges of views. This evening, I would like you all to relax and enjoy Japanese cuisine to your heart’s content.
When I visited Kazakhstan in October of last year, the President took a look at the delegation of both countries and stated, ‘I cannot really tell who is Kazakh and who is Japanese.’
Seeing all of you in front of me now, I am in complete agreement. In addition to our appearance, we have many similarities, such as our respect for our countries’ history and traditions, esteem towards our elders, hospitality, and spirit of valuing peace and harmony.
During my visit to Kazakhstan, following our lunch, on a whim President Nazarbayev kindly took me to the opera house and I was able to watch an act of a beautiful ballet performance.
In return for that, today, I wanted to show you a performance of the Japanese drum group TAO. The group incorporates modern elements while still using traditional percussion instruments. I believe you were able to see the diverse attractions and feel the excitement of Japanese culture.
Over these 25 years, Kazakhstan achieved remarkable growth under the leadership of President Nazarbayev. From next year, Kazakhstan will become the first Central Asian country to serve as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. As this demonstrates, I am convinced that your country, as a responsible power of the international community, and Japan will advance their cooperation at even higher levels over the next 25 years.
We have invited to today’s dinner banquet leaders who are active in a range of areas, including politics, the economy, art and science, and culture.
Thanks to all of you, the relationship between Japan and Kazakhstan is what it is today. I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and ask for your continued support for the further deepening of the relationship.
On this occasion of President Nazarbayev’s visit to Japan, I would now like to raise a toast for the further strengthening of friendly and cooperative ties that connect Japan and Kazakhstan. Thank you.”
