The meeting addressed prospects for advancing multilateral cooperation within the "Central Asia + Japan" format, as well as academic engagement between the research and expert communities of Central Asia and Japan.

Opening the meeting, Javlon Vakhabov outlined the main areas of IICA's work, with particular attention to the Institute's efforts to advance expert dialogue and promote multilateral cooperation within the "Central Asia +" formats.

He also commended JACAS's contribution to advancing Central Asian studies in Japan and to strengthening academic ties between the two regions.

Looking ahead to the further development of expert dialogue, the IICA Director invited the JACAS leadership to take part in the first "Central Asia + Japan" Think Tank Forum, scheduled to be held this autumn in Tashkent.

It was noted that the event is being held in follow-up to an initiative put forward by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the first "Central Asia + Japan" Summit, held in December 2025 in Tokyo.

For her part, Professor Chika Obiya noted that, thanks to the consistent efforts of the countries of the region, Central Asia today is increasingly asserting itself as a single space and is gaining growing importance on the international agenda.

Following the meeting, the sides reaffirmed their mutual interest in further engagement in preparing for the forum and in expanding research and expert cooperation between Uzbekistan and Japan.

The Japan Association for Central Asian Studies (JACAS) is an academic body established in 2004 to foster engagement and exchange among researchers and graduate students from various disciplines working on Central Asia. The Association brings together some 150 members, including scholars, faculty, and young researchers.