Japarov began his political career as head of the Department for Youth Policy of the presidential administration of Askar Akayev from July 1992 to 1993. In October 1993, he became executive secretary, chief of staff of the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan and held this position until April 1995. From 1995 to 1996, he served as assistant to the First Vice Prime Minister. He was secretary of the National Commission for the Securities Market from 1996 to November 1997 and head of the Department for Collection of Payments of the State Tax Inspectorate under the Ministry of Finance from November 1997 to 20 April 2000. From 20 April 2000 to March 2005, Japarov was a member of the Legislative Assembly, the former upper house of the Supreme Council, on the party list from the Union of Democratic Forces electoral bloc. He was a member of the Regions of Kyrgyzstan parliamentary group. He also served as Chairman of the Committee on Taxes, Customs and Other Duties of the Legislative Assembly.
