岸田首相、８月上旬にカザフ訪問へ　初の中央アジア首脳会合

　岸田文雄首相は８月上旬にもカザフスタンを訪問し、中央アジア５カ国と初の首脳会合を開く方向で調整に入った。政府関係者が６日、明らかにした。
　中央アジアは石油などの天然資源が豊富で、首相は経済安全保障の観点から関係強化を目指す。同地域に強い影響力を持つロシアや中国をけん制する狙いもある。
　この後、モンゴルを訪問してフレルスフ大統領と会談する案も浮上。現地での鉱物資源開発など経済分野を中心に連携を図りたい考えだ。モンゴルは北朝鮮と伝統的に関係が深く、日本人拉致問題の解決に向けた協力を話し合う可能性もある。（2024/06/06-20:45）

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is seen visiting Kazakhstan early in August to hold his country's first summit with five Central Asian nations, informed sources have said.
   Through the visit, Kishida hopes to strengthen Japan's relations with Central Asia to enhance economic security as the region is rich in natural gas and other mineral resources, the sources said. He also aims to hold Russia and China in check given their strong influence over Central Asia.
   Kishida is also examining the idea of visiting Mongolia after the trip to Kazakhstan and meeting with President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, to seek cooperation mainly in the field of economy, including mineral resources development in Mongolia.
   Mongolia has maintained deep ties with North Korea for a long time. Kishida may ask for cooperation to resolve the issue of Japanese nationals kidnapped by North Korean spies decades ago.