At the EXPO international exhibition in Osaka, Japanese fans of Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen gave a warm welcome to the visiting delegation from Kazakhstan. One of the most heartfelt moments came when Satoshi Akao, President of the Central Asia Visa Centre and advisor to the official Dimash Fan Club in Japan, performed the Kazakh national anthem in traditional dress.

Satoshi Akao has long-standing and close ties with Kazakhstan. In 1996, he took part in the establishment of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Japan and has spent many years promoting cultural exchange and raising awareness of Kazakhstan through various projects and media. His portfolio includes producing a video to mark the 175th anniversary of Abai, creating the animated character Aisulu in Kazakh national attire, and providing ongoing support for creative initiatives related to Dimash.

Although not a professional singer, Mr. Akao has studied vocal performance and has appeared at numerous events (including in Kazakhstan, where he has also worn national costume while performing songs from the country).

Mr. Akao shared that he first learned about Dimash in 2017 from embassy staff, and in 2019 he met the artist in person during his first visit to Japan. “Beyond his confident gaze, what stayed with me was his incredible kindness and respectfulness in speech and behavior,” he recalls.

The Dimash Fan Club in Japan, of which Mr. Akao is a member, has supported the singer for many years while introducing Japanese audiences to Kazakh culture. Recently, club representatives took part in a special Central FM radio program dedicated to Kazakhstan and Dimash.

The broadcast, titled Ғажайып Қазақстан (“Wonderful Kazakhstan”), aired on August 10, Abai’s birthday, and received warm feedback from listeners.

Joining Mr. Akao on the program were Aidos Dalkhenov, First Secretary of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Japan; a representative of the Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan and advisor to the Chuo Ward UNESCO Association; Edo cuisine researcher and best-selling author Ukiyo Kuruma; and Fumi Furuyama, representative of the fan club. Their discussion touched on the country’s history, its cultural traditions, and Dimash’s artistry, which has become a symbol of friendship between Kazakhstan and Japan.