Japan and Kazakhstan have signed an agreement to expand co-operation in the peaceful use of atomic energy that should pave the way for Japanese companies to win access to uranium resources deals in the Central Asian republic.

The nuclear pact was sealed yesterday during a visit by Junichiro Koizumi, the Japanese prime minister, to Kazakhstan. Mr Koizumi became the first Japanese prime minister to visit Kazakhstan at a time when Japan is looking to Central Asia to secure energy resources that can reduce dependence on Middle East oil.