Relations between Uzbekistan and Japan have reached a new level

On December 20, talks between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi were held in Tokyo.

The Japanese Prime Minister called the visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev an important event in the history of Uzbek-Japanese relations, which, as always, are based on the principles of high trust and mutual respect.

Over the 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Japan has been a close friend, a major technological and investment partner of Uzbekistan, making a significant contribution to the creation of modern industrial and energy infrastructure in the republic and the development of human resources.

The steady growth in trade turnover, investment volumes, and the number of joint ventures with Japanese capital was noted with satisfaction.

Leading Japanese companies such as Sojitz, Toyota Tsusho, Sumitomo, Itochu, Kyoto Plaza, Balcom, Shikoku Electric, which are implementing important projects in energy, geology, tourism, infrastructure development, IT and other priority sectors, are successfully operating in Uzbekistan.

The portfolio of joint projects with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) covers such sectors as energy, petrochemicals, transport, education and agriculture.

The talks emphasized the importance of activating "friendship groups" in parliaments, economic cooperation committees, sectoral meetings on priority areas and other forms of cooperation.

The President of Uzbekistan noted a number of key areas for developing strategic partnership with Japan: "green" energy and reducing carbon emissions in industry, information technologies, critical minerals, mechanical engineering, modernization of healthcare and tourism infrastructure, among others.

It was noted with satisfaction that a new portfolio of cooperation projects worth more than $ 12 billion had been formed in preparation for this summit. It was proposed to create a joint investment platform to promote these projects.

In addition, plans were announced to create a special economic zone based on the Japanese model and standards in the Samarkand region.

The proposal to expand the scope of the "One Village - One Product" program, which is being implemented jointly with Japanese partners, was supported.

Also, the opportunities and ways to increase mutual trade volumes, as well as issues of expanding interregional ties were discussed. It was proposed to hold the first forum of the regions of the two countries in Samarkand next year.

Particular attention is paid to the activation of humanitarian exchanges. The sphere of education and personnel training has traditionally been an important part of these multifaceted relations.

The Uzbekistan-Japan Human Resources Development Center, which provides young people with ample opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for the implementation of future entrepreneurial projects, is successfully operating in our country.

Japanese is taught in 7 higher educational institutions in Uzbekistan. The Uzbek language has been studied at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies for 10 years.

The Rectors' Forum serves as an important platform for exchanging experiences in the field of personnel training. Today, a meeting was held with the rectors of leading Japanese higher education institutions. Important agreements were reached on expanding cooperation programs, scientific and innovative exchanges.

It is planned to establish the first Uzbek-Japanese university in Tashkent together with the University of Tsukuba.

In order to expand cultural and tourism ties, it was proposed to regularly hold cultural days, exhibitions, youth forums, and film festivals. On the eve of the visit, the Days of Uzbek Culture were successfully held in Japan.

In 2027, the two countries will hold the Years of Culture on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The talks also exchanged views on pressing issues of regional and international importance.

Finally, the President of Uzbekistan and the Prime Minister of Japan signed a joint statement on the Enhanced Strategic Partnership for Future Generations. It was noted that this document will raise relations to a new level and open up broad opportunities for expanding multifaceted cooperation.

Within the framework of the visit, a set of significant agreements was adopted in the fields of education, health, ecology, water resources, transport, urban development, tourism, agriculture, and natural disaster risk reduction. A ceremony was held to exchange these documents.