Uzbekistan–Japan ICT Forum within ICT Week Uzbekistan attracted over 100 guests

On September 24, 2025, the Uzbekistan–Japan ICT Forum was held at CAEX, serving as a key event within ICT Week Uzbekistan dedicated to advancing digital partnership between Uzbekistan and Japan. The forum brought together over 100 participants, including representatives from government bodies, businesses, educational institutions, and international organizations.

The forum was organized by the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, IT Park Uzbekistan, and leading Japanese companies, with the support of international associations.

Naohiro Yamanaka, Deputy Director General for International Cooperation at the Bureau of Global Strategy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan, addressed the participants with welcoming remarks.

“Uzbekistan offers many advantages for outsourcing: a young and talented workforce, tax incentives, and a time difference of only four hours with Japan, facilitating communication. The opening of the IT Park Tokyo office and the increasing presence of Japanese companies clearly demonstrate the potential for collaboration.

Of course, challenges exist, such as aligning business practices and ensuring quality. Nevertheless, through open dialogue, mutual trust, and continued cooperation between our governments and the private sector, we can overcome these obstacles and establish a strong, long-term partnership.”

IT outsourcing from Uzbekistan to Japan: opportunities and challenges

The forum program was designed to provide participants with a comprehensive view of IT outsourcing prospects from Uzbekistan to Japan. The event featured two panel sessions under the overarching theme “IT outsourcing from Uzbekistan to Japan: opportunities and challenges”. The first panel brought together representatives from the public sector, who presented their vision and initiatives for developing bilateral cooperation, as well as measures to support and create favorable conditions for international partnership. The second panel session featured private sector representatives — leaders and experts from IT companies — who shared practical experience, discussed prevailing challenges, and identified key directions for the successful development of export services in the Japanese market. Both sessions were moderated by Akihiro Sakurai, Advisor to the Minister of Digital Technologies.

Rustam Karimdjanov, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, on preparing IT talents for the Japanese market:

“Uzbekistan is becoming an attractive destination for Japanese companies. We already have Japanese language schools, companies, and universities contributing to the establishment of a robust ecosystem. Over the next five to ten years, Japan will require nearly one million IT engineers, and Uzbekistan is prepared to develop talents for Japan’s digital and AI-driven economy. Uzbekistan represents an excellent environment to discover one’s ikigai. Many Japanese visitors remark that it is here that they finally uncover their ikigai in life.”

Sadami Suto, Principal Deputy Director of the Trade Policy Bureau for Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus at METI, on prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation:

“Joint initiatives between Uzbekistan and Japan can create a mutually advantageous cycle of growth and opportunities. The memorandum of cooperation signed in October 2024 established a strong foundation focused on developing digital talents, sharing expertise, and promoting practical collaboration. A notable example is the ICT Talent Development Program implemented by FPT Japan, which equips Uzbek youth with skills in software development, artificial intelligence, and data science.”

Makhliyo Muksinova, Services Export Development Director at IT Park Uzbekistan, on IT Park’s mission and support for foreign companies:

“My message to Japanese companies is clear: if you intend to conduct business in Uzbekistan within IT services or IT products, IT Park can serve as your partner, providing support at every stage — from familiarization with Uzbekistan, registering a legal entity, which takes only three days, to recruiting personnel. We will remain alongside you throughout all phases of your operations.”

Yuta Ichinose, Director of the Tashkent office of JETRO, on Uzbekistan’s advantages in IT and potential for Japanese companies:

“Uzbekistan possesses unique IT advantages that distinguish it from other countries. The government demonstrates strong initiative and commitment, and the country offers a multilingual, highly qualified workforce with solid foundations in mathematics and IT education. Another significant advantage is the country’s positive disposition towards Japan, which facilitates collaboration for Japanese companies. Collectively, these factors create considerable potential for expanding business relations and establishing a long-term IT partnership between Uzbekistan and Japan.”

Ravshanbek Mamanjonov, Rector of Japan Digital University in Tashkent, on training personnel according to Japanese standards and opportunities for students:

“Our curriculum is fully aligned with Japanese university standards, and all our graduates secure employment in Japan upon completion. The Japanese IT market represents a ‘blue ocean’ of opportunities for both Uzbekistan and our students. Visitors to Uzbekistan will appreciate working with professionals proficient in Japanese and simultaneously trained in IT.”

Tomonori Nakamura, Project Manager at Toyota Tsusho Corporation, on the company’s experience in Uzbekistan and prospects for establishing the country as an IT hub:

“Our operations in Uzbekistan commenced in 2014 with projects in telecommunications infrastructure, and today we support data center development and are preparing to launch IT service businesses. Over the past decade, we have observed remarkable transformations in Uzbekistan’s digital landscape and its expanding regional role. We are convinced that Uzbekistan has the potential to become the IT hub of Central Asia. Consequently, Toyota Tsusho is pleased to work closely with Uzbek companies, establishing partnerships that foster digital development and future growth.”

Hisako Ishikawa, CEO of Orion Computer, on plans to expand educational initiatives in Uzbekistan:

“We intend to expand our educational base in Uzbekistan to provide more young people with opportunities for successful careers in Japan. Within these initiatives, we have three primary objectives: firstly, to establish robust collaboration with Uzbekistan’s IT and educational sectors; secondly, to create sustainable career pathways for youth, facilitating study and work in Japan; and thirdly, to cultivate mutually beneficial relationships.”

Masatoshi Yamaguchi, Director of Soft Hyperion CA, on building multilingual teams and strengthening IT outsourcing between the two countries:

“By attracting multilingual offshore talent and integrating our development bases in Uzbekistan and Japan, we form diverse, borderless teams. This approach ensures quality, security, and flexibility while expanding IT outsourcing and reinforcing cooperation between our countries. Our objective is not only to deliver reliable outsourcing services but also to bring products and services from Uzbekistan to Japan, creating value in both directions. Through sustainable partnerships, we aim to contribute to the advancement of industries and societies in both Uzbekistan and Japan.”

Timur Miyasarov, Director of International Business Development at Uzinfocom, on expanding the company’s presence in international markets:

“We are among the largest IT companies in Uzbekistan, operating for over 24 years, and have developed more than 1,000 digital products for the government. Since 2023, we have resolved to expand into international markets. We perceive substantial potential for collaboration between Japan and Uzbekistan — not only between companies but also at the governmental level.”

Damir Galiyev, Regional Director of Wyn Enterprise, on building a technological bridge between Uzbekistan and Japan:

“At Wyn Enterprise, we are confident that, through joint efforts, Uzbekistan and Japan can build a strong IT partnership that will support both business growth and the advancement of the public sector. Such collaboration enables the integration of the strengths of two innovation-driven nations, bringing advanced technologies, best practices, and shared expertise.”

Otabek Abduhamanov, Project Manager at BeproDevhub, on the company’s entry into the Japanese market and its first contract:

“Our company was founded in 2019 as an IT service provider. In 2023, we participated in the ‘IT Sector Japan Trip’ program organized by IT Park Uzbekistan and UJC, where we engaged with companies such as SRA, CAL, Digital Knowledge, Acro, and others. In 2025, we presented our company at the Japan IT Week exhibition in collaboration with IT Park Uzbekistan, resulting in our first contract with SRA.”

The forum served as a significant platform for discussing joint projects in IT outsourcing, educational initiatives, and talent development. It reinforced Uzbekistan’s position as a strategic digital partner for Japan and opened new opportunities for expanding bilateral cooperation.

Media partners: Aniq.uz, Daryo.uz, Frank.uz, Kursiv, Nova 24, The Tech, UzbekFintech, Weproject, Vzglyad.uz, Oriat Dono radio station.