Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Uzbekistan Yuichi Kusumoto met Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, the Minister of Higher and Secondary Specialised Education Rustam Kasimov on 10 July, Pravda Vostoka wrote.

In the course of the talk it was noted that bilateral cooperation between Uzbekistan and Japan were developing in all spheres, particularly in the field of education. An important legal framework for this cooperation is constituted by the agreements reached during the meetings of the heads of two states.

Japan is consistently supporting the implementation of the National Programme on Preparation of Specialists in Uzbekistan. In particular, a number of grants have been issued for the projects on development of secondary specialized, professional education. Numerous schools, lyceums, colleges and higher educational institutions have received financing for new equipment, computer labs.

Cooperation in the sphere of education has been supported by the Japanese Government since 1999, and is aimed at help prepare qualified specialists in Uzbekistan. Within the frame of this project, 158 students were sent to Japan to study.

During the talk, the parties exchanged opinions on the issues of joint development and implementation of mutually beneficial projects.

The officials exchanged notes on behalf of the governments of Uzbekistan and Japan. According to the documents, twenty more Uzbek students will be sent to do Master’s programmes at the universities of Japan. For this purpose, Japanese Government will appropriate 307 million yen (about US$3 million).

"We are satisfied about the fact that the relations between our countries are developing consistently in all spheres," Mr. Kusumoto said. "The document signed envisages the preparation of qualified specialists, who will contribute to the prosperity of Uzbekistan. We are convinced that these specialists will serve for the expansion and strengthening of cooperation between our countries in the future."