A delegation from Tashkent State University of Law (TSUL), comprising Rustam Khursanov, Head of the Department of Business Law, Doniyor Abduazizov, Lecturer at the Department of Business Law, and Sayidkomil Ibodullayev, Lecturer at the Department of International Private Law, paid an official visit to Yokohama National University (YNU), Japan.

During the visit, the delegation held negotiations with Taku Watanabe, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Takemasa Sekine, Professor at the Law School, and Daichi Fujita, Head of the International Relations Department at Yokohama National University.

The discussions focused on prospects for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between TSUL and YNU, aiming to strengthen academic cooperation and foster collaboration in legal research and education.

Both parties discussed and agreed on the establishment of cooperation programs in the following four key areas:

  1. Academic Mobility Program

    • Both universities will ensure an equal number of exchange students.

    • Students will pay tuition fees at their home institutions.

    • The exchange program duration will be one semester.

    • Both parties will support students in securing grants and funding opportunities.

    • Due to YNU’s internal policies and the current lack of interest from Japanese students in studying at TSUL, the program will be included in a long-term MoU rather than immediate implementation.

  2. Admission to Master's and Doctoral Programs

    • TSUL students will have regular opportunities to apply for YNU’s master’s and PhD programs.

    • JLPT N2 is a mandatory requirement for YNU’s master’s programs.

    • While no master's programs are available in English, the PhD program in Transnational Law and Policy is conducted entirely in English.

    • PhD students may receive financial support through Japanese government, private, or YNU scholarships.

    • Special admission conditions for TSUL students: 

      • TSUL will recommend students, and YNU will conduct only an oral interview.

      • YNU will consider offering a tuition fee discount under the MoU and will clarify its position before signing (currently, no such practice is in place at YNU).

      • Students can take the oral entrance exam for master’s and PhD programs online while staying in Uzbekistan.

  3. Faculty Internships and Visiting Professorships

    • Duration: 2 to 4 months.

    • YNU will provide Visiting Professor (VP) opportunities for TSUL faculty members who teach in English and will compensate them according to YNU salary scales. Japanese language proficiency is not required.

    • YNU will host one visiting professor per year.

    • Faculty members will have the opportunity to conduct research and participate in academic activities during the internship, but neither party will provide financial assistance.

    • YNU can accept more than two or three researchers per semester, but they will cover their own expenses. Japanese language proficiency is not required.

  4. Joint Research and Academic Publications

    • Both parties agreed to support joint research projects.

    • YNU will assist TSUL faculty members in publishing research in leading Japanese academic journals.

It is noteworthy that Yokohama National University holds the 254th position in the QS Asia University Rankings (2025), highlighting its strong academic standing in the region. These agreements mark a significant step towards deepening academic and research cooperation between Tashkent State University of Law and Yokohama National University, creating new opportunities for both parties. The final signing of the agreements is scheduled to take place within the next two months.