Japan has pledged 545 million yen ($3.7 million) in grant aid to Mongolia to support infrastructure improvements, aiming to strengthen ties with the strategically important country situated between China and Russia. The grant agreement was signed by Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg following their talks in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Iwaya highlighted the growing importance of Japan-Mongolia cooperation, describing the two nations as “special strategic partners for peace and prosperity.” Battsetseg emphasized that enhancing relations with Japan remains one of Mongolia’s top foreign policy priorities.
The aid package includes 275 million yen for the delivery of air pollution monitors and 270 million yen for equipment to develop Mongolia’s sewerage system. Japan’s support aligns with its broader efforts to deepen defense and economic ties with Mongolia, a landlocked country that heavily relies on China and Russia for trade and energy resources.
In addition to the infrastructure aid, Japan has agreed to provide Mongolia with an air traffic control radar system valued at 1.3 billion yen. This marks the first provision under Japan’s “official security assistance” program, launched in 2023, aimed at supporting like-minded countries.
Mongolia, which maintains a diplomatic relationship with North Korea, has acted as a mediator in addressing the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. Japan and North Korea do not have formal diplomatic ties.
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