Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akira Amari and Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Masimov issued a joint statement Monday aimed at boosting bilateral nuclear energy cooperation and Kazakhstan's uranium supply to Japan.
Under the proposed arrangement, Kazakh's share of Japan's uranium imports could rise to 30 percent to 40 percent, up from the current 1 percent.
Top executives from 29 Japanese companies accompanying Amari to Astana signed 24 business deals with Kazakh enterprises to help ensure a stable, long-term supply of uranium and facilitate the transfer of nuclear technology for peaceful uses from Japan to Kazakhstan.
Japan sent a 150-member government-private sector delegation to Kazakhstan in the face of rising demand for uranium as more countries start adopting nuclear power in response to surging oil prices.