In April 2024, JDS Alumnus of the Kyrgyz Republic, H.E. Mr. Usubaliev Maksat was appointed as Director of the Tourism Department under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic.

H.E. Mr. Usubaliev came to Japan in 2014 as a JDS 8th batch fellow and completed his study at the Graduate School of Global Studies, Doshisha University in 2016.

He had worked for the Tourism Department under the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Kyrgyz Republic before his study in Japan. Upon his return, he served as First Deputy Director of the Civil Society Development, Religion and Ethnic Affairs Policy Department in the President Office and has now been appointed as Director of the Tourism Department under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic.

After his appointment as Director, H.E. Mr. Usubaliev led a government delegation in the tourism sector to Japan from May 26, 2024, for about a week, to follow up on the joint statement between Japan and the Kyrgyz Republic signed in November 2023. During this visit, H.E. Mr. Usubaliev held discussions with Japanese government officials and private sector representatives of Japan on bilateral cooperation, tourism, culture, and other related matters.

H.E. Mr. Usubaliev is expected to contribute to the development of the Kyrgyz Republic as a new leader, utilizing the knowledge he gained during his study in Japan.