Japanese Blogger Teams Up with Kazakhstan Tourism Ambassadors to Highlight Country’s Beauty
Japanese Blogger Yuji Beleza Named Tourism Ambassador of Kazakhstan
Yuji Beleza, a Japanese blogger based in Vienna, has captured the attention of audiences worldwide with his impressive language skills and curiosity about different cultures. Speaking over a dozen languages, including Kazakh, Beleza’s fluency has amazed and delighted the local people in Kazakhstan, especially since he learned the language on his own through books and online resources. In a recent interview with The Astana Times, Beleza shared insights into his journey, his passion for Kazakh culture, and the significance of his new title.
Beleza’s viral social media videos, where he conducts improvised interviews in various languages, have garnered hundreds of thousands of views and received enthusiastic comments from viewers. In December 2024, he was appointed as the Tourism Ambassador of Kazakhstan by the Kazakh Tourism national company in recognition of his efforts to promote the country abroad.
Language has always been a crucial aspect of Beleza’s life, serving as a bridge that connects him to different cultures and deepens his understanding of the world. His language-learning journey began in Vienna after completing a degree in political science, where he started a blog with his friend Suleyman as a side project while searching for jobs. Together, they ventured into video production, with Suleyman taking on the role of cameraman and strategist. Their street-language content quickly gained popularity, leading Beleza to explore and showcase his linguistic abilities in various languages.
Beleza’s passion for languages traces back to his teenage years in Ireland when he felt the need to communicate effectively with Eastern European immigrants. This frustration motivated him to start learning Russian, eventually paving the way for his multilingual journey. For Beleza, mastering languages goes beyond communication—it fosters cultural insight, promotes cross-cultural understanding, and encourages personal growth by embracing diversity and differences.
His connection to Kazakhstan blossomed during a student exchange in Russia, where he met his first Kazakh friend. Intrigued by comments on his Turkish-language videos suggesting his resemblance to Kazakh people, Beleza decided to delve into Kazakh language and culture. Through his recent visit to Kazakhstan, his fourth trip to the country, Beleza explored its natural beauty, engaged with local fans in Almaty, and further honed his Kazakh language skills by immersing himself in the local culture.
As the newly appointed Tourism Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Beleza joins the league of global icons like Dimash Qudaibergen and Daneliya Tuleshova, who have brought international attention to the country. He received the prestigious title at the Kazakh Embassy in Austria, expressing his gratitude and sense of responsibility to continue promoting Kazakhstan’s tourism potential. Looking ahead, Beleza aims to collaborate with Japanese and European influencers to showcase Kazakhstan’s rich heritage and boost its tourism industry, working alongside local celebrities like Gennady Golovkin and Dimash Qudaibergen.
Overall, Yuji Beleza’s linguistic talents, cultural appreciation, and dedication to promoting Kazakhstan make him a worthy Tourism Ambassador, bridging connections and fostering mutual understanding between different cultures. His story serves as an inspiring example of the transformative power of language and its role in cultivating global citizenship.
