Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Development of Uzbek-Japanese cooperation in agriculture in Afghanistan is in demand. This point of view was expressed by the former Japanese ambassador to Afghanistan Reichiro Takahashi, speaking at an online conference: "New political reality in Afghanistan: prospects for cooperation between Uzbekistan and Japan." 

The diplomat elaborated on the analysis of factors that hinder the provision of broad humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.

Among them: the lack of a single agreed policy between the international community and the government of Afghanistan; lack of effective institutions and human resources; ineffective fight against corruption.

According to the expert, Japan has always been one of the main donors of Kabul, which has spent 700 billion Japanese yen over the past 20 years to support the Afghan economy. Tokyo is ready to continue its efforts to restore the economy of this country together with interested partners such as Uzbekistan.

According to the expert, the development of Uzbek-Japanese cooperation in the agricultural sector of Afghanistan is especially in demand in order to ensure food security in the region.

Previously, Afghanistan had a good irrigation system, but after 20 years of war, the traditional agricultural system has fallen into disrepair. “In the agricultural sphere, it is important to work closely with the Afghans themselves, since they have the necessary geographic and meteorological knowledge,” he stressed.

The diplomat is convinced that Uzbekistan and Japan can effectively cooperate in this direction.

The event was organized by the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Japanese Institute of International Relations with the support of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Japan. It was attended by experts from leading Japanese think tanks, in particular the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, the Institute for the Study of the Middle East, and the University of Sofia.

The Uzbek side was represented by the leaders and researchers of the ISMI, MICA, IACMO.