TOKYO, October 24. /Dunyo IA/.   Embassy of Uzbekistan in Japan hosted a cultural and educational event dedicated to the Uzbek Language Day, featuring Japanese students studying the Uzbek language, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Event took place on October 21^st in cooperation with the “Japan-Uzbekistan” Association, which has been running Uzbek language courses since 2006. Currently, 30-40 students are studying the language across four groups depending on their proficiency level. The students regularly participate in events celebrating the Uzbek Language Day, Independence Day and Navruz.

Participants were congratulated on the holiday and briefed on the measures taken to strengthen the status of the state language in Uzbekistan and promote it globally. It was noted that the number of Uzbek speakers is approaching 50 million, and interest in the Uzbek language and literature is growing in Japan.

During the conversation, participants highlighted similarities in the grammatical structure of the Uzbek and Japanese languages, as well as the phonetic proximity of certain words, such as “ota” and “otōsan” (father) and “ona” and “onna” (woman). Video materials showcasing the Uzbek language and culture, historical and cultural heritage, and the country's tourism potential - including the monuments of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva - were also demonstrated.

Some students shared that their language studies were driven by personal interest and impressions of Uzbekistan. Miyoki Enamoto, who has visited the country multiple times, intends to master the language in the future and reside in Uzbekistan. Yuko Akiba married a citizen of Uzbekistan and takes a keen interest in studying Uzbek national art and dances.

Ogawa Tomaki (Uzbek name – Odiljon), an employee of the Japanese company “Takihyo Co., Ltd.”, shared that he has been learning the language independently for three years. According to him, it all started with his employment at the Uzbek restaurant “Tavassum” in Nagoya, where he became acquainted with Uzbek culture, customs, and hospitality. “Today, I consider Uzbekistan my second homeland. For me, the Uzbek language is not merely a tool for communication, but the language of kindness and friendship”, he stated, adding his desire to contribute to the strengthening of friendship between Japan and Uzbekistan.

Participants expressed confidence that language learning and such events reinforce friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations. At the conclusion of the event, they were presented with brochures on the development, history and culture of Uzbekistan, along with commemorative gifts.