Japan, Uzbekistan open strategic talks, eye Central Asia forum

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - Japan and Uzbekistan on Wednesday opened a new foreign ministers’ strategic dialogue in Tashkent, aiming to deepen bilateral cooperation and expand regional engagement.

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Uzbek counterpart Bakhtiyor Saidov announced the launch in a joint communique following their first round of talks in the Uzbek capital.

Iwaya, who began a five-day visit to Uzbekistan on Sunday, and Saidov said the framework was designed to promote long-term and mutually beneficial relations, according to Japan’s Foreign Ministry.

The two ministers agreed to accelerate preparations for the “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue summit, postponed last August, and pledged to convene it “as early as possible.”

They also signed a cooperation document setting out priorities in information technology, healthcare, science, innovation, human exchanges, and trade.

Iwaya expressed Tokyo’s readiness to “continue contributing to the sustainable development of Uzbekistan.”

Both sides underscored their commitment to strengthening investment ties, “including through the expanded presence of Japanese companies in Uzbekistan, the development of joint ventures and the introduction of advanced Japanese technologies in priority sectors of the economy.”

The ministers also emphasized the importance of maintaining a free and open international order, echoing Tokyo’s wider diplomatic message in Central Asia.

Japan and Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations in 1992. Their bilateral trade volume reached more than $459 million in 2024, with a $429 million trade surplus for Japan, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.