BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 7. Uzbekistan and
Japan discussed expanding cooperation in trade, infrastructure and
innovation, as well as preparations to implement initiatives from
the first "Central Asia + Japan" Summit in 2025, during talks
between Uzbek First Deputy Economy and Finance Minister Ilkhom
Norkulov and Japanese Prime Minister’s Special Adviser Yoshimasa
Uno in Tashkent on Oct. 6.
This was reflected in the statement by the Ministry of Economy
and Finance of Uzbekistan.
The meeting was also attended by Japanese Ambassador to
Uzbekistan Kenji Hirata and other representatives, according to
Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance.
The sides reviewed prospects for expanding bilateral trade and
economic cooperation, developing infrastructure and advancing
innovation, while also exploring new areas of mutually beneficial
partnership.
They discussed initiatives put forward at the first "Central
Asia + Japan" Summit, held in Tokyo in December 2025, as well as
progress in implementing agreements reached following the
high-level visit. The summit brought together the leaders of Japan
and the five Central Asian countries, including Uzbek President
Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Moreover, the Japanese side presented its updated "Free and Open
Indo-Pacific" (FOIP) concept, which was announced by Prime Minister
Sanae Takaichi in May 2026.
"Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced its updated
version, FOIP 3.0," the ministry said.
Against this backdrop, the meeting also covered prospects for
implementing projects in green energy, energy efficiency and
water-saving technologies.
The discussions are part of broader efforts to translate the
outcomes of the 2025 summit and bilateral agreements into practical
projects and cooperation.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties expressed
readiness to continue cooperation in priority areas of mutual
interest and further expand practical engagement between Uzbekistan
and Japan.
