Kazakhstan tourism year, which was launched on Friday across China, is set to increase people-to-people exchanges and cross-border travel between the neighboring nations, said Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sports Yermek Marzhikpayev.
As a close neighbor of China, Kazakhstan attaches great importance in promoting all-around ties with China, Marzhikpayev told China Global Television Network.
"Our countries and people have much in common in terms of tradition and culture. The Kazakhstan tourism year in China will effectively promote exchanges and cooperation between China and Kazakhstan. China is a comprehensive strategic partner of Kazakhstan. We are neighbors and have developed our friendship over generations, and the leaders of the two countries have good relations. All of this means we attach great importance to Chinese culture, Chinese language, and all areas that can build closer relations between the two countries," the minister said in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Beijing on Thursday, one day ahead of the opening ceremony of the Kazakhstan tourism year in China.
Other recent efforts to promote tourism between the two countries include a mutual visa agreement.
From November 10 last year, Chinese and Kazakh citizens are allowed to stay in each other's country visa-free for up to 30 days, according to the visa waiver agreement between the two countries.
Yermek Marzhikpayev said the effort has paid off.
"At the end of last year, the visa-free stay period extended to 30 days, an increase from 10 days to 30 days. This is a boon to the development of bilateral relations and exchanges between the two countries. The number of tourists is on the rise year by year. Compared to 2022, about 300,000 Kazakh tourists visited China last year. This is a very positive development. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Kazakhstan increased 15 times to 400,000. Citizens can enjoy mutual visa exemption for 30 days, which has greatly boosted tourism," he noted.
Kazakhstan tourism year in China will promote exchanges: Kazakh tourism minister
A Japanese scholar on Friday called on people to remain vigilant against de facto constitutional amendments, as the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi moves to advance constitutional amendments and ease military and security restrictions.
Japan's Constitution, which took effect in 1947, is often referred to as the pacifist constitution because its Article 9 renounces war as a sovereign right and prohibits Japan from possessing "war potential."
However, according to local media reports, Takaichi is pursuing constitutional revision, seeking what would be the first-ever amendment to Japan's Constitution since it came into force.
Talking to China Media Group about the current political situation in Japan, Kenji Utsunomiya, former president of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, warned that the "exclusively defense-oriented policy" under Article 9 is being undermined.
"Some have indeed voiced the opinion that Japan should go nuclear -- something not allowed under Article 9 of the Constitution. Yet those making such statements don't seem to face proper penalties. So, I believe the 'exclusively defense-oriented policy' under Article 9 is being gradually and substantively eroded and undermined. That's Japan's reality today," said Utsunomiya.
The scholar pointed out that recent moves by the Takaichi administration are all de facto constitutional amendments that could endanger peace.
"Regarding the government's lifting of a lethal weapons export ban, increasing the share of defense spending in GDP, and pushing for the establishment of a national intelligence committee, I believe it is necessary to conduct broader national discussions on these matters and to effectively organize opposition campaigns. However, even if we manage to block a formal constitutional amendment, it does not mean we are safe. Actually, a de facto constitutional amendment is already moving ahead. Therefore, we must remain even more vigilant about this," said Utsunomiya.
The Japanese government officially revised its guidelines to allow the export of lethal weapons on April 21.
Also in April, Japan's parliament approved the fiscal 2026 budget, with defense expenditures exceeding nine trillion yen (about 56.3 billion U.S. dollars) for the first time, a historic high.
Japan's House of Representatives on April 23 passed a bill to establish a national intelligence committee. The legislation is expected to be enacted after passing the House of Councillors, where approval is highly likely. Following its enactment, the Takaichi administration aims to launch the committee by summer, according to local media.
Japanese scholar warns of de facto constitutional amendments
