President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Uzbekistan Yuichi Kusumoto at Oqsaroy residence on 11 July.

Uzbek leader Islam Karimov said the development of cooperation was an important factor to expansion of bilateral ties.

Yuichi Kusumoto started his activity in Uzbekistan in September 2004 and his mission to Uzbekistan ended, UzA reported.

President Karimov said Mr Kusumoto did good contribution to development of relations between two countries.

Uzbekistan considers Japan one of its main partners. Japan invested US$2 billion in Uzbekistan since the establishing the diplomatic relations. Nine Uzbek-Japanese joint ventures operate in Uzbekistan.

In his turn, Kusumoto expressed his gratitude to Uzbek President Islam Karimov for assistance and support at his diplomatic mission in the country. He said he will not forget Uzbekistan and he will do his best to further develop relations between Uzbekistan and Japan.