日本找中亚合作透出“冷战味”

Core Viewpoint - The first "Central Asia + Japan" summit held in Tokyo signifies Japan's strategic shift towards Central Asia, focusing on economic cooperation while reflecting geopolitical calculations against China and Russia [1][2]. Group 1: Economic Cooperation - Japan has pledged to provide 3 trillion yen (approximately 134 billion RMB) in grants and loans to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan over the next five years for commercial projects [1]. - The summit resulted in the "Tokyo Declaration," which, while ceremonial, raises questions about the potential for practical cooperation that aligns with the long-term interests of all regional countries [4]. Group 2: Geopolitical Strategy - Japan views Central Asia as a critical source of strategic resources such as rare earths, uranium, and oil, aiming to establish a complete industrial chain from exploration to transportation to reduce reliance on China [2]. - The initiative is also seen as a countermeasure to Russian influence in the region, with Japan seeking to create alternative logistics routes that bypass Russia, thereby integrating into Western geopolitical strategies [2]. - Japan's diplomatic efforts are partly driven by domestic political needs, as the government seeks to improve its international image amidst tensions with China [2]. Group 3: Challenges and Limitations - Japan's historical engagement in Central Asia has been limited due to geographical distance, high logistics costs, and varying investment environments across the five Central Asian countries [3]. - The political undertones of Japan's cooperation efforts, which often link economic assistance to geopolitical goals, may not align with the multi-vector foreign policies favored by Central Asian nations [3]. - China's established relationships and mutual trust with Central Asian countries pose significant challenges to Japan's ambitions, as these nations prioritize long-term stability and economic benefits over geopolitical alignments [3].