Welcoming the guest, President Islom Karimov said the following: "People in Uzbekistan have heard a lot about you, but it is our first meeting. However, the fact that you are a graduate of Waseda University is a great honour for us, as Uzbekistan has very close relations with the university. I am proud to be an honoured professor of Waseda Institute."

"I believe that your visit to Uzbekistan is a logical continuation of relations between Uzbekistan and Japan, as well as a good chance to exchange opinions on bilateral and multilateral issues", he said.

According to the Uzbek TV report, the total amount of Japanese investments to the Uzbek economy has reached US$2 billion. Business circles of the land of the rising sun say this is justified by a favourable economic climate created here.

The meeting at the Oqsaroy discussed prospects for developing trade and economic relations, as well as other issues of mutual interest.