Prohibited Propaganda and New Powers for Akims: Kazakhstan News for December 18

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has begun his first official visit to Japan with a packed agenda. The trip includes high-level meetings, major commercial deals, and the signing of multiple agreements between the two nations. Meanwhile, back in Kazakhstan, the Senate has passed sweeping new laws on crime prevention and social restrictions.

Tokayev’s visit started with a formal meeting with Emperor Naruhito. Later, he held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, where their delegations signed 14 intergovernmental and interagency agreements. Commercial deals worth over $3.7 billion are also set to be finalised during the trip.

In Kazakhstan, the Senate has approved significant legal changes. Amendments to crime prevention laws now give local administrations (akimats) broader powers to handle cases involving urban maintenance violations, infrastructure damage, and harm to green spaces. Additionally, new legislation bans LGBT propaganda, prohibiting the promotion of non-traditional sexual relations on social media. The changes affect 13 existing laws. A separate law introduces fines for individuals who conceal their faces in public. First-time offenders will receive a warning, while repeat violations will result in a fine of 10 MRP (39,320 tenge in 2025).

The agreements signed in Japan mark a step forward in bilateral relations, with economic cooperation playing a key role. In Kazakhstan, the new laws expand local enforcement powers and impose stricter social regulations. Both developments will shape the country’s domestic policies and international partnerships in the coming months.