Commencement of Mongolia-Japan Business Forum

18 Aug, 2023

Commencement of Mongolia-Japan Business Forum

Bringing together prominent business figures from Mongolia and Japan, a significant business forum is scheduled to commence today in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. The main focus of this conference is to facilitate discussions on trade and collaborative economic progress between the two nations. Notably, the agenda will also spotlight initiatives aimed at modernizing crucial infrastructure, including water sanitation and eco-friendly mining projects.

In the wake of Russia's Ukraine intervention, Japan has undergone a noteworthy shift in its foreign policy, displaying a more proactive disposition in its regional geopolitical involvement. Recent developments indicate Japan's departure from an exclusively defensive defense policy, signaling an expansion of its military capabilities. A portion of this transformation can be attributed to China's increasing militarization activities in the East China Sea. The convening of the Mongolia-Japan Business Forum unmistakably underlines Japan's strategic intent to enhance its influence over Mongolia's commercial concerns. Mongolia's ties with Beijing through various infrastructure ventures tied to China's Belt and Road Initiative have grown stronger over time.

While Japan's heightened interaction with Mongolia does not present an immediate challenge to China's regional security interests, it does foreshadow an assertive Japan in the Indo-Pacific realm. Tokyo's aspirations extend to forging stronger economic connections with key regional partners and cultivating strategic alliances, such as the trilateral partnership involving the United States and South Korea. These endeavors form part of a multifaceted strategy aimed at mitigating the expanding influence of China in the region.