China and Japan in Central Asia

Central Asia is a region where both China and Japan would like to pursue greater roles and interests. Largely initiated by China, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has enhanced China’s influence in Central Asia. This has caused concern for Japan, which then sought to expand its presence in the region. Through meetings and dialogues with Central Asian leaders, and by providing aid and loans to states in the region, leaders of China and Japan have been trying to obtain contracts for extracting oil, natural gas, rare metals, uranium and other minerals from Central Asian states, and secure peace in Afghanistan.