Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, Sodik Safayev, held a meeting with a delegation led by Akihisa Nagashima, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan on national security, nuclear disarmament, and non-proliferation.

During the discussion, particular emphasis was placed on strengthening the traditionally friendly and time-tested strategic ties between Uzbekistan and Japan. Japan remains one of Uzbekistan’s key foreign policy and economic partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

The two countries are actively cooperating in education, science, digitalization, innovation, and medicine.

Furthermore, energy cooperation is developing dynamically, including energy production and processing, as well as the digitalization of energy sources.

Akihisa Nagashima praised Uzbekistan’s wide-ranging reforms, highlighting their positive impact on all areas of life. He noted that the country’s open and pragmatic foreign policy is gaining international recognition.

The meeting also addressed President Mirziyoyev’s initiatives on resolving long-standing regional issues, contributing to strengthened neighborly relations in Central Asia. In this context, the sides exchanged views on the prospects of the "Central Asia + Japan" dialogue and preparations for the upcoming international summit.

Additionally, the talks covered the development of inter-parliamentary cooperation, the enhancement of friendship groups’ activities, the exchange of legislative expertise, and deepening parliamentary dialogue.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties expressed a mutual interest in further expanding cooperation in political, trade-economic, investment, and cultural-humanitarian spheres, including human resource development.