YEVA HARUTYUNYAN
agreed with the Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combine ( NMCC ) of Uzbekistan to develop technology for the extraction and benefaction of black shale , in particular the Rudnoye deposit , and to receive about 300 tons per year since 2007 . But this agreement was no longer heard until February 2011 , when Itochu signed a 10-year “ large-scale ” uranium purchase agreement with NMMC .
In August 2008 , Mitsui Corp . signed a basic agreement with the Goskomgeo ( State Committee on Geology and Mineral Resources ) of the Government of Uzbekistan on the creation of a joint venture for geological research in the development of uranium black-shale reserves at the West Kokpatasskaya , 300 km mine northwest of Navoi .
In October 2008 , the Japanese Sojitz Corp . and Uzbekistan signed an agreement for uranium exploration at the Chetbertoye mine ( about 350 km west of Tashkent ). In June 2009 , between the Goscomgeo and JOGMEC ( Japan Oil , Gas and Metals National Corporation ) was signed an agreement on joint exploration of uranium in Uzbekistan . Later , in July 2013 , JOGMEC received a five-year license at two areas - the promising deposits Dzhuzkuduk and Tamdiykuduk-Tulyantash in the Navoi region of the country for geological exploration . The minimum amount of funding for the first year of work was US $ 3 million .
Thus , Japan ' s economic strategy in the states of Central Asia is aimed at developing oil and gas communication infrastructures and peaceful nuclear energy for taking the states of the region out of the isolation and aiding them to overcome economic difficulties .
The other interest of Japan in Central Asia is political stability and development of all forms of cooperation with the states of this region , the desire to strengthen and consolidate its presence in the region . 26 During the Cold War , being protected by the security umbrella of the United States , Japan was mainly concentrated its interests on economic affairs . In the post-Cold War world where so-called bilateral stability no longer existed , Japan encouraged a rebirth of “ Japan ’ s Asian policy .” Japan ’ s policy towards establishing its political presence in Central Asian region can be divided into two periods . The first initiatives was made by
26
Rakhimov , “ Central Asia ,” 85 . 34