TOKYO, December 28. /Dunyo IA/.  A briefing was held at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Tokyo to present the outcomes of the official visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Japan on December 18–20, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

At the opening of the event, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador Mukhsinkhuja Abdurakhmonov noted that the official visit of the Head of our State covered all key areas of bilateral engagement and emphasized that this trip opened a new chapter in the history of the Uzbek–Japanese strategic partnership.

Participants were provided with detailed information on the results of bilateral meetings held during the visit with the Emperor of Japan, Prime Minister, the leadership of both chambers of parliament, members of the government as well as representatives of the business community and academic circles.

During the briefing, Japanese participants shared their assessments of the outcomes of the Uzbek–Japanese negotiations, stressing that they marked an important stage in the development of bilateral relations and opened up new opportunities for cooperation across various fields.

Kyoko Nakayama, former Ambassador of Japan to Uzbekistan (1999–2002) and former member of the House of Councillors of the Japanese Parliament, stated:

-I followed with great interest the official visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Japan. The high-level meetings, bilateral negotiations, and agreements reached made this visit historic for our relations. The current political situation in Central Asia is significantly different from the period when I worked in Uzbekistan. However, the political will and initiatives of Uzbekistan’s leadership, as well as its policy of good neighborliness, have elevated relations between our countries to a new level.

Mari Suzuki, Mari Suzuki, Executive Director of The Tokyo Foundation, noted:

-During the negotiations, it was clear that both sides are committed to developing and expanding bilateral relations. I personally took part in an international conference in Uzbekistan this September and witnessed the progress the country is making in democratic reforms and public support.

Officials from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responsible for Central Asia and the Caucasus, emphasized the importance of the “Central Asia + Japan” Summit, describing it as historic in the context of Japanese diplomacy. He noted that the participation of the President of Uzbekistan in the summit gave new momentum to deepening cooperation in the green economy, human capital development, and broader bilateral engagement.

Kuniya Asamoto, a senior representative of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) involved in global strategy and regional cooperation, highlighted the importance of expanding economic engagement and mutual understanding in cooperation discussions.

-Over the past five years, the number of Japanese companies operating in Uzbekistan has doubled,” he said. “Direct Japanese investment has begun to play an important role in the country’s economy, particularly in sectors such as energy, information technology, industry, services, and healthcare.

Hiroshi Tanimura, Executive Director of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), also underlined notable progress in tourism:

-With improvements in tourism infrastructure, Uzbekistan has become one of the most attractive destinations for travelers,” he noted. “In 2025, the number of Japanese tourists visiting Uzbekistan will exceed 30,000, which is a historic achievement.

Tetsuji Tanaka, Director General of the Research Institute for Central Asian and Caucasian Studies in Japan, emphasized Japan’s appreciation for President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s diplomatic leadership and the significant progress of Uzbekistan’s international initiatives, describing them as important milestones in regional and global engagement.

-This visit has reinforced Uzbekistan’s standing in global politics and the economy, opening new opportunities for further cooperation,” the expert concluded.