Japan-Kazakhstan foreign ministers' meeting

Japan-Kazakhstan foreign ministers' meeting

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya (L) shakes hands with his Kazakh counterpart Murat Nurtleu during a joint press conference following their talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Aug. 25, 2025.

Japan-Kazakhstan foreign ministers' meeting

Japan-Kazakhstan foreign ministers' meeting

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya (L) and his Kazakh counterpart Murat Nurtleu hold a joint press conference following their talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Aug. 25, 2025.

Japan's gold medalists in world judo championships

Japan's gold medalists in world judo championships

ASTANA, Aug. 31 Kyodo - Japanese individual gold medalists at the world judo championships -- (from L) Shohei Ono (men's 73 kilogram), Misato Nakamura (women's 52 kg), Takanori Nagase (men's 81 kg), Kaori Matsumoto (women's 57 kg), Ryunosuke Haga (men's 100 kg) and Mami Umeki (women's 78 kg) -- pose for a photo in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Aug. 31, 2015, a day after the completion of the championships.

IMF official

IMF official

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - International Monetary Fund Deputy Managing Director Naoyuki Shinohara is pictured during an interview with Kyodo News in Astana, Kazakhstan, on May 1, 2014.

Murakami wins gold at Asian Winter Games

Murakami wins gold at Asian Winter Games

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - Japan's Kanako Murakami performs in the free program at the Asian Winter Games in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Feb. 5, 2011. Murakami won the gold medal in the women's individual figure skating.

Murakami wins gold at Asian Winter Games

Murakami wins gold at Asian Winter Games

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - Japan's Kanako Murakami (L) waves to the crowd after her free skate performance at the Asian Winter Games in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Feb. 5, 2011. Murakami won the gold medal in the women's individual figure skating.

Murakami wins gold at Asian Winter Games

Murakami wins gold at Asian Winter Games

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - Japan's Kanako Murakami performs in the free program at the Asian Winter Games in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Feb. 5, 2011. Murakami won the gold medal in the women's individual figure skating.

Murakami wins gold at Asian Winter Games

Murakami wins gold at Asian Winter Games

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - Japan's Kanako Murakami expresses her delight after her free skate performance at the Asian Winter Games in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Feb. 5, 2011. Murakami won the gold medal in the women's individual figure skating.

Northern Japan cities to co-host 2017 Asian Winter Games

Northern Japan cities to co-host 2017 Asian Winter Games

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda (L) and Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah shake hands in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Jan. 31, 2011. The OCA decided the same day that the cities of Sapporo and Obihiro, both in Hokkaido, northern Japan, will co-host the 2017 Asian Winter Games.

Asian Games in Kazakhstan

Asian Games in Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - Fireworks are set off at the opening ceremony for the 2011 Asian Winter Games in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Jan. 30, 2011.

Asian Games in Kazakhstan

Asian Games in Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - The opening ceremony for the 2011 Asian Winter Games is held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Jan. 30, 2011.