DUSHANBE, October 7, 2015, Asia-Plus – Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Tajikistan as part of his tour of Central Asia’s nations from October 24-25, a source in the Tajik government told Asia-Plus in an interview.

The visit will be the first by a Japanese prime minister to Tajikistan.

“Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon will discuss issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Japan, support for development of Tajikistan’s economy as well as providing regional security,” the source said.

According to him, Japan plans to increase assistance to Tajikistan in supporting its infrastructure development projects, constructing frontier posts and purchasing drug detection devices.   

Meanwhile, The Japan Times reported on July 25 that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to visit five Central Asian countries in October as part of efforts to strengthen economic relations with the resource-rich region.  

The Japan Times said that according to Japanese government officials, the visit could also counter China’s growing clout in the region, as well as boost leverage with Russia.  They noted Moscow is concerned by Beijing’s surging influence in Central Asia, which Russia hopes to keep within its sphere of influence, The Japan Times reported.

Abe plans to visit Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.  According to the plan, the trip would begin with Abe visiting Kazakhstan to promote the export of Japanese nuclear plant technology and equipment.  In Uzbekistan, the final destination, Abe plans to pledge Japan’s assistance in developing that nation’s communications infrastructure.

Abe initially planned to visit the five countries in late August, but had to reschedule the trip after the current Diet session was extended to late September to provide more time to deliberate controversial national security bills, The Japan Times noted.