RA National Assembly Deputy Speaker Hakob Arshakyan met with Hidehisa Otsuji, Chairman of the House of Councilors of the Japanese Parliament, on September 28 in Tokyo. The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly conveyed detailed information on the Azerbaijani encroachments on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia on September 13-14, including the civilian and military victims of the Republic of Armenia, the damage caused to the settlements and infrastructures of the Republic of Armenia. In this context, the deputy speaker of the National Assembly highlighted the direct condemnation of the aggressive actions of Azerbaijan by the international community.
Hidehisa Otsuji expressed his regret for the recent military conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and expressed condolences for losing life in Armenia. Hidehisa Otsuji informed that Japan is a supporter of peace everywhere, and they are ready to support the establishment of peace in the region.
The participants of the meeting discussed several issues related to bilateral relations. They expressed readiness to make additional efforts to deepen and expand political and cultural ties between Armenia and Japan. NA Vice President also met with Takeaki Matsumoto, Acting Chairman of the Japan-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group.
During the visit, Hakob Arshakyan met with the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan, Keiko Nagaoka. The interlocutors discussed issues related to the development of cooperation between Armenia and Japan in education, opportunities to increase student scholarships and exchanges, and options and practical steps to deepen cooperation in science, education, and information technologies.
Then the NA Deputy Speaker met with Keichiro Nakazawa, Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Several issues regarding the development of cooperation between Armenia and Japan in humanitarian, scientific, cultural, economic, high-tech, and crisis prevention were discussed. The parties emphasized the collaboration between the two countries universities and mutual visits of Armenian and Japanese scientists and researchers to carry out joint activities in both countries.
