Negotiations took place between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. This was reported by the presidential press service.
During the talks, issues of further expanding Uzbekistan-Japan strategic partnership relations, covering almost all areas of interstate cooperation, were thoroughly discussed.
The Japanese Prime Minister described this visit by the head of our state as a significant event in the history of Uzbekistan-Japan relations, based, as always, on the principles of high trust and mutual respect.
It was noted that over the 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Japan has been a close friend and a key technological and investment partner of Uzbekistan, making a significant contribution to the creation of modern industrial and energy infrastructure and the development of human resources in the republic.
The steady growth in trade turnover, investment volume, and the number of joint ventures with Japanese capital was highlighted.
The report states, "Leading Japanese companies such as 'Sojitz', 'Toyota Tsusho', 'Sumitomo', 'Itochu', 'Kyoto Plaza', 'Balsom', 'Shikoku Electric' are successfully operating in Uzbekistan, implementing important projects in priority areas like energy, geology, tourism, infrastructure development, IT, and others."
The joint project portfolio with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) covers areas such as energy, petrochemicals, transport, education, and agriculture.
The importance of activating various forms of cooperation, including parliamentary 'friendship groups', economic cooperation committees, and sectoral networking meetings in key areas, was emphasized during the negotiations.
The head of our state outlined a number of key directions for developing strategic partnership with Japan. These include cooperation in 'green' energy and reducing carbon emissions in industry, information technology, critical minerals, the machine-building sector, as well as modernizing healthcare and tourism infrastructure.
It was noted that in preparation for this summit, a new portfolio of cooperation projects worth over $12 billion has been formed. Furthermore, a proposal was made to create a joint investment platform to advance these projects.
In addition, plans were announced to establish a special economic zone in Samarkand region based on Japanese models and standards.
The proposal to expand the scale of the 'One Village, One Product' program, implemented jointly with Japanese partners, was also supported.
At the same time, opportunities and ways to increase mutual trade volume and expand interregional ties were discussed. It was proposed to hold the first forum of the two countries' regions in Samarkand next year.
Special attention is being paid to intensifying humanitarian exchanges. The field of education and personnel training traditionally constitutes an important part of these multifaceted relations.
The Uzbekistan-Japan Human Resource Development Center is successfully operating in our country, providing ample opportunities for young people to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to implement entrepreneurial projects in the future.
The Japanese language is taught at 7 higher education institutions in Uzbekistan. The Uzbek language has been studied at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies for 10 years now.
The Rectors' Forum serves as an important platform for exchanging experience in personnel training. A meeting was held with rectors of leading Japanese higher education institutions, and important agreements were reached on expanding cooperation programs, scientific and innovative exchanges.
