Background: Despite the internationalization of higher education (IoHE) in Kazakhstan and it being among the top 15 countries sending students abroad, the level of student mobility between Kazakhstan and Japan and factors influencing it have not been well analyzed. Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore outgoing student mobility from Kazakhstan to Japan and the reasons underlining this situation. Methods: A descriptive study, involving a literature review and an analysis of data from the two largest universities in Kazakhstan together with those from the Bolashak international scholarship scheme, was performed. Results: The analysis suggested that outgoing student mobility from Kazakhstan to Japan remains at a stable but low level. The mobility of students is mainly a matter of the initiative of universities or the students themselves. The main reasons are the dependence of the policy of the IoHE on the foreign policy of Kazakhstan; the low level of pull factors for students such as affordability, recommendations from acquaintances, or lack of awareness about the country; and absence of a supportive legislative basis for the development of cooperation on higher education between the two countries. Conclusion: Given the areas of common interest economically and politically between Kazakhstan and Japan, there is potential for significantly more student mobility than there is at present.

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Cooperation in education with high income countries is becoming more essential than ever. However, Kazakhstan is still falling short in development of educational cooperation with some of the highincome countries in the world as Japan. This paper aims to clarify the role of Japanese governmental organizations in development of bilateral in Kazakh-Japan relationship as well as educational cooperation between the two states. A historical and systematic analysis was used , for a better understanding the policy of Japanese educational organizations in Kazakhstan. Along with official information of embassies, the annual reports of a Kazakhstani university were used to conduct the research. In general, the Japanese governmental organizations play a crucial role as actors that foster cultural integration, political relations and peace-building. However, promotion of Japanese traditions and Japanese language education can have an aim of strengthening its influence and prestige in Kazakhstan. Yet, especially in the case of Japan and Kazakhstan, it is far from being a hegemony tool of a dominant country. The results of this study may be useful for everyone who is interested in cooperation in education, Kazakhstan-Japan relations, internationalization of higher education in Kazakhstan and the role of governmental bodies in these processes.