Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — A delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), led by Executive Senior Vice President Katsura Miyazaki, visited Uzbekistan’s Ferghana Region for the opening of a branch of the Uzbekistan-Japan Centre. The regional administration reported the visit.
Ferghana Region Governor Khairullo Bozorov welcomed the delegation at Kokand International Airport.
The visit included a meeting with regional officials, a visit to an educational institution and the opening ceremony of the new centre, as well as discussions on further developing bilateral cooperation.
In Kokand, the JICA delegation visited Turon ilm-odob, a non-state educational institution, where members reviewed the learning environment, teaching process and methods drawing on the experience of Japan’s education system.
The institution focuses on developing students’ intellectual abilities, independent thinking skills and access to quality education. In addition to Kokand, it operates branches in Furkat, Uzbekistan and Altyaryk districts, with more than 3,000 students enrolled across its branches.
A ceremony was also held in Kokand to inaugurate the Uzbekistan-Japan Centre branch. Participants included Bozorov, Miyazaki, Japan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Uzbekistan Kenji Hirata and representatives of the public.
Speaking at the ceremony, Bozorov highlighted the new centre’s importance in further strengthening friendship, mutual trust and strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Japan.
The event also highlighted the development of cooperation between the two countries in the economy, education, healthcare, infrastructure and culture, with JICA playing a role in this process.
The Kokand branch will give residents of the city and the Ferghana Valley opportunities to study Japanese, take part in business training and educational programmes, and participate in projects designed to strengthen ties between Uzbekistan and Japan.
The centre will be able to train more than 200 young people each year. Its programmes will also create opportunities for further study in Japan and employment there.
Entrepreneurs will be able to learn from Japanese business practices, establish contacts with Japanese business circles and develop commercial cooperation.
Bozorov expressed his readiness to support the centre’s activities and strengthen links between its programmes, educational institutions and the region’s business community.
Hirata and Miyazaki stressed the importance of expanding cooperation between Uzbekistan and Japan and implementing new initiatives in education and entrepreneurship. They said the centre would serve as a platform for strengthening ties between the two countries in the Ferghana Valley.
Following the ceremony, participants toured the centre and reviewed the facilities.
During the visit, Bozorov also met with Hirata and Miyazaki to discuss the development of cooperation, joint projects in Ferghana Region and the expansion of mutually beneficial ties.
Bozorov highlighted the opportunities for Ferghana Region to contribute to Uzbekistan-Japan cooperation and implement new investment and socioeconomic projects with Japanese partners.
The region also expressed its readiness to participate actively in JICA programmes and projects. Particular attention was given to potential joint initiatives and expanding practical cooperation.
The sides agreed to continue efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, develop prospective joint projects and implement them.
The opening of the Uzbekistan-Japan Centre branch in Kokand was described as an important step in advancing cooperation in education, business and cultural and humanitarian exchanges.
