Acentury ago, Russia and Britain contested for influence in Central Asia in a competition known as the Great Game. One hundred years later, Central Asia remains a vitally important region, and the governments fighting for influence have increased, and now include Japan.
Last week, Mr. Junichiro Koizumi made the first visit by a Japanese prime minister to Central Asia. His immediate aim was to secure Japanese access to the region's ample energy resources, but he also hopes to extend Tokyo's influence in a troubled area and balance the inroads made by China and Russia.
While Mr. Koizumi's visit was unprecedented, it was not the first Japanese overture toward the region. Immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Tokyo reached out to the region with foreign aid and technical assistance, providing 280 billion yen by 2004, even as it maintained a low profile. Two years ago, then Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi kicked off the "Central Asia plus Japan dialogue" on economic and security ties.