Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The Uzbek culture of tolerance and humanism is increasingly demonstrating its potential not only within our country but also on the international stage. The path chosen by Uzbekistan—aimed at strengthening inter-ethnic harmony and civic unity in society, creating equal rights and opportunities for all regardless of nationality or religious belief, and educating the younger generation in the spirit of patriotism, respect for national and universal values, love for and devotion to the Motherland—is being recognized as one of the most stable and just policies. The reforms implemented in our country in the spirit of good neighborliness, mutual trust, and peace have made a significant contribution to strengthening stability and cooperation in the Central Asian region.

Several years ago, speaking from the UN rostrum, the Head of State put forward an initiative to transform Central Asia into a region of peace, good neighborliness, and partnership. Today, this initiative has already been confirmed in practice. The ideas expressed by our President in the article “Central Asia at the Threshold of a New Era” laid a solid foundation for Uzbekistan to further strengthen its position on the international stage.

There is no doubt that the Seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, recently held in our capital, will serve as a cornerstone for the beginning of a completely new era of regional cooperation. The proposals and initiatives put forward at this meeting have already begun to serve the common development of our region.

From this perspective, the substance and significance of the summit held in the United States in the “C5+1” format were also aimed at enhancing our country’s international standing. It should be emphasized that this forum not only launched a new phase of strategic dialogue between Central Asia and the United States, but also introduced Uzbekistan’s peace-loving policy to the entire world. In general, such forums play an exceptionally important role in creating new opportunities for regional and global relations.

More than 130 nationalities and ethnic groups live in our country. The principles of preserving and comprehensively developing the history, culture, spiritual values, national traditions, and customs of existing ethnic diasporas are enshrined in the Constitution of Uzbekistan. The development of inter-ethnic harmony is an important direction of state policy, opening broad opportunities for promoting Uzbek traditions of tolerance and good neighborliness. Against the backdrop of unfavorable events occurring in other parts of the world, such a policy becomes an essential factor in preserving peace and developing mutually beneficial cooperation.

In these days, the official visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to Japan has become a historic and confident step toward elevating multifaceted cooperation between the two countries to a qualitatively new level. The goals of the visit were extensive, and relations between Tashkent and Tokyo are significant not only bilaterally, but also regionally and globally. Meetings in Tokyo with Emperor Naruhito of Japan, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, as well as leaders of leading universities and major companies, were aimed at strengthening Uzbekistan’s strategic ties with the Land of the Rising Sun.

The fact that this mutually beneficial cooperation has taken the name “Central Asia + Japan” represents an important dialogue platform aimed at developing multilateral cooperation between our countries.

Cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and Japan continues not only in the economic sphere, but also in the cultural field, elevating the bonds of friendship between the two partner states to a new and substantial level. In particular, cooperation with this country in all areas of culture and the arts, museology, tourism, and other fields is gaining increasing importance.

For example, in November 2019, cultural events were organized in Tokyo, Maizuru, and Takasaki to promote Uzbek culture and art. Meetings were held with government representatives to develop cooperation in the cultural sphere. Active cooperation has also been established between cultural institutions of the two countries. Notably, an agreement was signed between Rissho University and the Termez Archaeological Museum, under which cooperation in archaeology and museology is being carried out. Indeed, cultural cooperation between our states broadens the professional horizons of specialists and expands the geography of cultural events. The regular participation of Japanese artists in international festivals held in Uzbekistan is certainly a welcome development.

In particular, the active participation of the Japanese shamisen music group “Nagauta-kai” in the international music festival “Sharq Taronalari”, where they won the prestigious first prize, serves as clear evidence of this. In addition, it is noteworthy that at the International Maqom Art Forum held in Shahrisabz in 2018, Japanese artist Kamuzaki Mashuu won third place and received enthusiastic applause from the audience.

At the beginning of this year, the participation of students from the R. Glière Republican Specialized Music School under the Ministry of Culture, located in Tashkent, in the “Tokyo International Art Festival” and the “International Collaboration Concert” organized in Tokyo by the CSPC-Japan organization, is yet another example of how extensively the cultural ties between our two partner countries are expanding.

I would like to emphasize that cultural and trade relations between the Uzbek and Japanese peoples date back to ancient times, and that along the Great Silk Road, mutually beneficial ties between the two nations have gradually developed into strong friendship and cooperation. On the eve of the Head of State’s visit to Japan, the holding of the “Days of Uzbek Culture” in this country was also a practical result of the efforts of the leaders of both states to strengthen mutual respect and reliable cooperation. Such a heartfelt celebration of art is not only an important event in our cultural life, but also a significant occasion worthy of respect and attention in the Asian region, and a vivid expression of warm relations between partners.

As noted, the peoples of Uzbekistan and Japan are united by ancient history, rich culture, devotion to traditions, and confidence in the future. The steady strengthening of relations between the two peace-loving countries, and their consistent development in political, economic, and especially cultural spheres, is a sign of the happiness and prosperity of our peoples.

Under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, large-scale reforms are being implemented in our country, as a result of which all spheres of social life are developing, and Uzbekistan is becoming increasingly recognized worldwide as an open and modern state.

Cultural relations between peoples are befitting of peaceful, stable, and enlightened states. Uzbekistan and Japan are among such countries. Preserving peace and goodness in the world is the age-old aspiration of both the Uzbek and Japanese peoples. It is evident that in countries where sustainable peace and tranquility prevail, art and culture flourish!