Nazarbayev holds talks with Japanese Emperor

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev met Japanese Emperor Akihito on Monday to discuss the prospects of the relations between Astana and Tokyo, the president's press service said.

"In the course of the meeting the current state of relations between Kazakhstan and Japan and the prospects for their further progressive advance have been discussed," Sputnik cited the statement as saying.

Nazarbayev reportedly stressed close bilateral cooperation in various spheres, namely, religious and international security issues, involving nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation. 

Nazarbayev also noted Japans’ invaluable contribution to global conflict settlement and to the promotion of sustainable development in the region. He also stressed that as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2017-2018, Kazakhstan will take measures aimed at establishing nuclear-free world, solving energy, food and water security issues, according to the statement.