Uzbekistan, Japan reach energy accord

TOKYO – Uzbek President Islam Karimov and Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan reached an accord for Japanese and Uzbek companies to cooperate in the exploration and development of Uzbek natural resources, mainichi.jp reported February 10.

Resource-poor Japan is seeking to diversify its energy sources, and Itochu Corporation reached an agreement February 8 to buy uranium from Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combine for ten years. Japan relies on nuclear power for a large percentage of its electricity.

In their accord, Karimov and Kan stressed co-operation in energy conservation, renewable energy, alternative energy, reconstruction of Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism in Central Asia.

Japan also plans to lend Uzbekistan up to ¥18.067 billion (US $219m) to electrify the 325km Karshi-Termez Railway.

Karimov visited Japan February 8-10 for talks.