### 3. Central Asia and the Caucasus

Central Asia and the Caucasus region are politically and geographically important areas that are in close proximity to Russia, China, South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The regions are also strategically important to Japan, with their large abundance of energy and mineral resources such as oil, natural gas, uranium, and rare metals. The stability and development of these regions impact Eurasia as a whole including Japan. From this perspective, Japan

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In order to facilitate the transition from a planned economy to a market economy and achieve economic development, Japan has conducted a diverse range of assistance activities, such as establishment of legal systems (including establishment of the rule of law), rebuilding of health and medical care and other aspects of societal development, improvement of the infrastructure for economic development, and the development of human resources for the transition to a market economy. For example, Japan Centers* in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic contribute to the development of human resources that can respond to the transition to a market economy by providing business courses and other activities based on Japan’s experiences.

provides support for nation-building to establish long-term stability and sustainable development in the regions, taking into consideration a broad regional perspective which covers including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other regions that border Central Asia. These efforts are intended to establish a universal system of values, including human rights, democracy, market economy, and the rule of law.

Some of the world–class oil fields are found in the Caspian Sea coast of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Japanese companies also own their interests. The stability and economic development of the region are important for stabilizing the international energy market as well as for securing energy resources. Japan provides assistance to the region, including support for the improvement of public services, human resources, and infrastructure like power plants.

In addition, Japan established a framework of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue in 2004 focusing on the promotion of intra-regional cooperation, and has conducted dialogue and cooperation at a variety of levels.

$ ^{*} $ Japan Center

Nine centers have been established in eight countries as sites to provide Japan's “Visibility of Japanese Aid” and to build personal relationships with Japan, in an effort to achieve a market economy. Japan provides assistance for the training of business personnel that will carry the load of transitioning to a market economy, by dispatching specialists and providing training to allow individuals to learn business administration, business skills, etc.

# Kyrgyz Republic

# “Road Administration Advisor” Individual Expert (June 2008 to March 2011)

In an inland country Kyrgyzstan Roads are an important part of the infrastructure, but inadequate road maintenance, except for a portion of the central highway, hinders domestic economic activities and the lives of the citizens. To solve this problem, Japan has designated development of transportation infrastructure as a focus for assistance, and promotes technical support for local staffs engaged in road construction, repair, maintenance and management. Road administration advisors were dispatched to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Transportation and Communication to improve the systems related to road administration. In addition to providing suggestions and recommendations related to problem analysis of measures and systems of road maintenance and administration, capacity development of local staffs, and issues regarding systems and budgets, the advisors introduced new pavement technology that differs from pavement used in the past. This cooperation is expected to develop the capacity of government officials and engineers who conduct road maintenance administration and improve the transportation environment in Kyrgyzstan.

Japanese experts and Kyrgyz counterparts inspect road conditions (Photo: JICA)