A forum to further strengthen the bilateral relations between Japan and Uzbekistan was held earlier this month in Tokyo.

Organized by the Embassy of Uzbekistan, the Uzbek-Japan Cooperation Forum was attended by representatives of the government of Uzbekistan and business circles, along with their Japanese counterparts. The event, which included a conference and reception, opened with remarks by the Uzbekistan Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade Elyor Ganiev, who was followed by remarks from the Japanese side, including Midori Matsushima, state minister of economy, trade and industry, and Yasutoshi Nishimura, a member of the Diet.

During the forum, the heads of several Uzbekistan ministries gave presentations on joint projects.

Additionally, there were presentations on experiences and completed projects in Uzbekistan by representatives of Mitsubishi Corp., NEC and Itochu, as well as lectures by Katsuya Ichihashi, vice president of the University of Nagoya and Momoko Chiba, visiting professor of Juntendo University.

During the forum it was noted that strong impetus to the development of the Uzbek-Japan Strategic Partnership was given by the visit of the President Islam Karimov to Japan in February 2011.

The reception was attended by key members of the Japanese government such as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance Taro Aso; Minister of State for Economic Revitalization Akira Amari; State Secretary of Internal Affairs and Communications Yoko Kamikawa; Diet Member Toshihiro Nikai; Member of the House of Councilors of the Diet Kyoko Nakayama; and others who emphasized their comprehensive readiness to make every effort to further enhance the strategic partnership between Japan and Uzbekistan