Uzbekistan views Japan not only as an investor but also as a strategic partner in building the industry of future, the President  companies, financial institutions, and business associations during his official visit to Tokyo on Friday, the presidential press service said.

Reportedly, Shavkat Mirziyoyev invited Japanese businesses to join in Uzbekistan's economic modernization efforts, aimed at expediting industrialization, introducing advanced technologies, boosting productivity and exports.

The following priority areas of cooperation with Japanese business have been outlined:

• achieving energy sustainability and a green transition, including the development of renewable energy sources and storage systems, as well as reducing the carbon intensity of the economy;
• deep processing of critical minerals through building full value chains;
• development of mechanical engineering and industrial equipment, creating a modern, high-tech industrial economy;
• development of ITs, including the implementation of artificial intelligence and digitalization programs;
• setting up of special economic zones, designed to become hubs for high-tech and export-oriented manufacturing, as well as industrial cooperation through the automation of production processes and the implementation of digital management systems.

It was reported that a project to set up a special economic zone based on the Japanese model and standards is being developed that, with the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

In recent years, Japan has become one of Uzbekistan's key economic and technological partners. Over the past eight years, trade between the countries has doubled, and the number of Japanese companies operating in Uzbekistan has increased tenfold, according to the report.

While Japanese companies were primarily hired for contracting projects in Uzbekistan, today they are investing in the country's economy, establishing joint ventures, participating in management, transferring technology, and contributing to the training of national personnel.

Business cooperation between the two countries has been established in energy, healthcare, geology, information technology, infrastructure, and other priority areas.

Following the meeting, a bilateral agreements exchange ceremony took place overseen by the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Ryosei Akazawa.

Executives of the following companies and organizations were present in the meeting: Sojitz, Sumitomo, Toyota, ITOCHU, Mitsubishi, Marubeni, Daito Trust Construction, NEC, SBI Holdings, Ajinomoto, Japan Tobacco, Hitachi, Mitsui, Balcom, NEC, Eurus Energy, Chubu Electric Power, Shikoku Electric, Shimizu, Hankyu Travel International, Japan Metals and Energy Security Organization (JOGMEC), Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), JICA, Japan Export-Investment Insurance Company (NEXI), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan Association for Trade with the Commonwealth of Independent States (ROTOBO), Norinchukin Bank, SBI Shinsei Bank, Japan Association of Travel Agencies, and others.