OSAKA, March 24. /Dunyo IA/.  A delegation from Uzbekistan visited Japan, where it took part in the opening of a special exhibition entitled “The Voice of Silk Road Merchants: Monuments of Samarkand and Eurasian Connections”, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Official opening ceremony was held at the National Museum of Ethnology in Osaka. Event was attended by representatives of several Japanese museums, government authorities, academic circles and international media, as well as Ambassador of Uzbekistan Mukhshinkhuja Abdurakhmonov, together with the delegation of Uzbekistan.

The exhibition will run from March 19 to June 2, 2026. It features more than 200 museum exhibits, the majority of which have been brought from Uzbekistan. Spanning an area of over 1,000 square meters, the exhibition highlights the role of merchants in the history of Central Asia, as well as the significance of the Silk Road as a hub of cultural and civilizational exchange.

Director of the National Museum of Ethnology, Seki Yuji, noted that hosting this exhibition in Japan is a great honor, as it provides Japanese public with a valuable opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the rich and unique history and culture of Uzbekistan.

Particular attention is given to Samarkand as one of the key centers of Sogdian trade. Among the exhibited artifacts are findings uncovered during joint archaeological expeditions conducted by Uzbekistan and Japan at the site of Kofirkala.

Speakers emphasized that the exhibition showcases the results of many years of scientific cooperation between the two countries in the fields of archaeology, restoration and museology. Within the framework of the project, a series of lectures, seminars, master classes, film screenings and cultural events are also scheduled.

It was noted that the exhibition is intended not only to present Uzbekistan’s rich historical and cultural heritage, but also to strengthen cultural and scientific ties between Uzbekistan and Japan, as well as to contribute to the development of new joint initiatives and collaborative projects.