TOKYO, February 10. /Dunyo IA/. On February 9, a ceremony was held in Japan to commemorate the 584th anniversary of the birth of the great poet and philosopher Alisher Navoi, with flowers being laid at his monument on the grounds of Soka University, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of Uzbekistan, Muhsinkhuja Abdurakhmonov, representatives of the Soka Gakkai Buddhist organization, the leadership of Soka University, professors, faculty members, staff from the Institute of Oriental Philosophy, representatives of Japanese media, and fellow students from Uzbekistan.

During the ceremony, flowers were placed at the monument to Alisher Navoi, erected on the grounds of Soka University in 2004. It was noted with great satisfaction that Navoi’s rich and multifaceted work holds a significant place not only in Uzbek literature but also in world literature.

It was emphasized that the monument has become a symbol of the deep friendship between the Uzbek and Japanese peoples, historically connected by the ancient Silk Road.

The Ambassador of Uzbekistan expressed heartfelt gratitude to the university representatives for their longstanding respect and care for the monument, while also emphasizing the invaluable teachings and ideas of the poet for their crucial role in instilling virtues such as patriotism, spirituality, and tolerance in the younger generation.

The Rector of Soka University, Masashi Suzuki, quoted the words of the organization's founder, Daisaku Ikeda: "The monument to Alisher Navoi at Soka University stands as a symbol of humanism and the shared aspiration of our peoples for spiritual unity, cultural development, and the advancement of education".

Following the ceremony, a meeting took place with Rector Masashi Suzuki, where the current state and future prospects of bilateral cooperation were discussed.

The talks focused on expanding academic exchange programs between universities in both countries, providing grants and scholarships, establishing special courses in Uzbek language and literature at Japanese universities, enhancing the qualifications of Japanese language teachers in Uzbekistan, and strengthening cooperation in other mutually beneficial areas.

At the conclusion of the meeting, an agreement was reached to organize a visit by Soka University leadership to Uzbekistan within the framework of the Uzbekistan-Japan Rectors’ Forum, scheduled to take place in Uzbekistan this year, as well as a series of meetings and events aimed at furthering academic collaboration.