Tashkent, January 22, 2025 – The Europe Today: President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received a Japanese delegation led by Akihiko Tanaka, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The high-level meeting centered on strengthening practical cooperation and advancing joint initiatives with JICA, a leading international financial institution.
President Mirziyoyev expressed satisfaction with the visit, marking a new phase in economic and financial-technical collaboration between Uzbekistan and Japan. Highlighting JICA’s role as a strategic partner in supporting the nation’s reform agenda, the President noted that the agency has been instrumental in fostering the development of “New Uzbekistan.” The joint project portfolio, spanning energy, transport, agriculture, water management, healthcare, education, and other sectors, currently exceeds $8 billion. A three-year cooperation program adopted last year continues to guide these efforts.
The President commended the contributions of the Uzbekistan–Japan Center for Human Development and the Youth Innovation Center. To date, more than 2,500 Uzbek specialists have benefited from training and internships in Japan through JICA programs. Additionally, Japanese volunteers have actively supported social and humanitarian projects across Uzbekistan.
During the discussions, emphasis was placed on private sector development, the creation of a special economic zone for Japanese investors, and the establishment of a Japanese university in Uzbekistan. Partnerships in vocational education were also identified as a priority area for future collaboration.
An agreement was signed on January 20 for the construction and equipping of the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center for Neurology and Stroke in Tashkent, further reflecting the robust partnership. President Mirziyoyev affirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to expanding JICA’s activities in the country.
Both parties agreed to implement a roadmap approach to streamline current and future projects, ensuring timely and effective outcomes. The meeting underscored the shared vision of deepening Uzbekistan-Japan relations for mutual benefit.