Japan and the Republic of Uzbekistan (hereinafter referred to as “the Contracting Parties”), 

Desiring to further promote investment in order to strengthen the economic relationship between the two countries; 

Intending to further create stable, equitable, favorable and transparent conditions for greater investment by investors of one country in the Area of the other country; 

Recognizing the growing importance of the progressive liberalization of investment for stimulating initiative of investors and for promoting prosperity in both countries; 

Recognizing that these objectives can be achieved without relaxing health, safety and environmental measures of general application; 

Recognizing the importance of the cooperative relationship between labor and management in promoting investment between both countries; 

Wishing that this Agreement will contribute to the strengthening of international cooperation with respect to the development of international rules on foreign investment; and 

Believing that this Agreement marks the beginning of new economic partnership between the two countries; 

Have agreed as follows: