Japan-Uzbekistan Relations
Meeting between Foreign Minister HAYASHI and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade UMURZAKOV of the Republic of Uzbekistan
April 29, 2022
On April 29, commencing at 3:30 p.m. (local time; same day, 7:30 p.m. JST) for approximately 60 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting the Republic of Uzbekistan, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Sardor UMURZAKOV, Deputy Prime-Minister and Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- Following a welcome speech from Deputy Prime Minister Umruzakov, Minister Hayashi expressed his gratitude for Deputy Prime Minister Umurzakov’s on-site participation in the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit held in Kumamoto. He stated that he was pleased to hold an exchange of views with Deputy Prime Minister Umurzakov at the meeting and working dinner during his stay in Tokyo.
- Minister Hayashi stated that he would like to continue to advance cooperation in a wide range of fields, such as agriculture, medical care, infrastructure, climate change countermeasures, and people-to-people exchanges, and welcomed the recent increase in private businesses in Uzbekistan from Japanese companies. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Umurzakov expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support in areas such as electricity, health and medical care, environment, and human resource development. He also expressed hope for trade expansion in agricultural products, medical cooperation with Medical Excellence Japan (MEJ), expansion of Uzbek workers with residency status as "Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)," and advancement of cooperation with Japan on climate change countermeasures using the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) and Japanese satellites. In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Umurzakov expressed his gratitude when Minister Hayashi informed in advance of the provision of a dollar-denominated loan (maximum amount of 200 million dollars) for the "Horticulture Value Chain Promotion Project (Phase 2)."
- Regarding the situation in Central Asia, Minister Hayashi welcomed the advancement of regional cooperation and the recent regularity of summits among Central Asian countries. He expressed Japan’s willingness to continue to work toward the stabilization of the entire Central Asian region. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Umurzakov explained Uzbekistan's active efforts, and there was an expression of gratitude for Japan's cooperation toward strengthening regional cooperation. Minister Hayashi stated that he would like to cooperate with Uzbekistan on the situation in Afghanistan toward the early resumption of girls' education and the establishment of an inclusive political system. He further stated that Japan provides assistance to Afghanistan and neighboring Central Asian countries to strengthen border controls and prevent the influx of radicalism, and that Japan’ support in constructing power plants in Uzbekistan contributes to supplying electricity to Afghanistan as well. He stated that he is pleased that Japan and Uzbekistan are contributing to stabilizing the region through mutual cooperation. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Umurzakov expressed his appreciation that the security of Afghanistan is extremely important for Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, and that Japan's construction of power plants in Uzbekistan has contributed to stabilize the region including Afghanistan.
- Minister Hayashi explained Japan's position on Russia's recent aggression against Ukraine and emphasized the necessity of a united response from the international community to address this aggression. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Uzbekistan explained Uzbekistan's position that all disputes should be settled peacefully in accordance with international law. The two ministers affirmed that they would continue to work closely at various levels on international issues, including Ukraine and Afghanistan.
- The two ministers also discussed the regional situation in the East Asia. Both sides confirmed that they would continue to cooperate in dealing with North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issues and the abduction issue.
- After the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Umruzakov explained to Minister Hayashi about the connectivity projects between Central Asia and South Asia being promoted by Uzbekistan, showing a map of the region.