On June 9, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev had a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida.

Current issues of further development and deepening of multifaceted cooperation between Uzbekistan and Japan, as well as the international and regional agenda, were considered.

The leaders of the two countries exchanged warm congratulations and wishes on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 20th anniversary of the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Japan.

It was noted with deep satisfaction that the Tokyo Summit in December 2019 and regular contacts at the highest level brought bilateral relations to a qualitatively new level, filling them with practical content.

The volume of mutual trade is growing – since the beginning of this year, the indicators of trade have doubled. Direct investments of leading Japanese companies in Uzbekistan’s economy are increasing. New joint ventures are being created in high-tech sectors of the economy. Major projects are being implemented jointly to modernize and expand energy capacities, organize modern industrial production, including in mechanical engineering and the chemical industry, and develop hotel infrastructure. The first Digital University of Japan operates in Tashkent.

The President of Uzbekistan expressed sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Government of Japan for the full support of irreversible reforms in New Uzbekistan. It was noted that the volume of financial and financial-technical assistance provided through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation JBIC exceeded $7 billion.

In addition, the results of fruitful meetings and negotiations of government delegations held this year were highly appreciated.

The leaders called for further expansion of practical cooperation and promotion of projects in innovation, green economy, digital technologies, science and education, a continuation of cultural and humanitarian exchange programs, and inter-parliamentary dialogue.

An agreement was reached on organizing a full-scale exposition of Uzbekistan at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka.

Issues of the international agenda were considered.

The Prime Minister of Japan expressed gratitude for Uzbekistan’s continued support on the issue of the country’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council, the issues of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and the return of abducted Japanese citizens.

The President of Uzbekistan congratulated the Japanese side on the successful holding of the Water Summit in the city of Kumamoto, as well as spoke in support of the priority areas of practical interaction in Asia put forward by the head of the Government of Japan to achieve sustainable development and prosperity of the vast region.

In turn, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida praised Uzbekistan’s initiatives to strengthen relations of trust, good neighborliness and full-scale partnership in Central Asia, as well as the assistance provided to ensure long-term peace and economic recovery in Afghanistan.

Mutual interest was expressed in using the full potential of mutually beneficial cooperation within the framework of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue.

Following the conversation, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev invited Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to pay an official visit to Uzbekistan.

The telephone conversation between the leaders of Uzbekistan and Japan took place in a traditionally open, friendly and businesslike atmosphere.

Source: UzA