BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 5. Turkmenistan and
Japan discussed the prospects of launching direct air links and
expanding bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector.
This was reflected in a statement published by the Embassy of
Turkmenistan in Japan following a meeting in Tokyo between Turkmen
Ambassador to Japan Atadurdy Bayramov and Chairman of the Japan
Association of Travel Agents (JATA), Yu Hara.
According to the press release, the sides discussed expanding
tourism cooperation.
"Particular attention was paid to the prospects of establishing
direct air services between the two countries," the statement
said.
The sides reviewed the history of bilateral cooperation, which
began with Turkmenistan's participation in the JATA Travel Showcase
in 2013, and highlighted joint initiatives including a tourism
conference in Tokyo in 2014 and the "Turkmenistan - the Country of
Friendship, Brotherhood and Hospitality" forum held during Expo
2025 Osaka.
The meeting also underscored the importance of strengthening
direct contacts between tourism authorities and leading travel
companies in both countries to encourage mutual travel and
professional exchanges in the hospitality industry.
For reference, Japan has become one of Turkmenistan's key
partners in Asia, with cooperation traditionally centered on
industrial projects implemented by companies such as Kawasaki Heavy
Industries, Sojitz, ITOCHU, Mitsubishi Corporation and Toyo
Engineering. As this economic partnership has expanded, Ashgabat
has increasingly sought to complement it by developing tourism and
people-to-people exchanges. Participation in Expo 2025 Osaka has
become a major element of that strategy, providing Turkmenistan
with an opportunity to promote its tourism potential while
encouraging new business and transport links. The latest
discussions on direct flights therefore fit into a broader effort
to strengthen connectivity between the two countries beyond
commercial and industrial cooperation.
