The following professors from the four JISPA partnership universities attended the round-table talk.

• GRIPS (National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies): Prof. Roberto Leon Gonzalez, Macroeconomic Policy Program (MEP)
• HIT (Hitotsubashi University): Prof. Akira Ariyoshii, Asian Public Policy Program (APPP)
• IUJ (International University of Japan): Prof. Koji Kotani, Macroeconomic Policy Program (MPP)
• UTokyo (the University of Tokyo): Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa, Master of Public Policy, International Program (MPP/IP)

4. How do the partnership universities provide suitable living environment for the JISPA scholars?

Prof. Leon (GRIPS): The JISPA scholars stay at dormitories owned by GRIPS, where Japanese staff reside to assist students when necessary, such as in the case of going to hospital. All GRIPS administrative staff members are fluent in English, and they provide assistance from the beginning of settling-in and guidance of living in Japan. A nurse on day duty and a doctor for part time every day are available on campus for consultation on health issues. We also keep the scholar’s families in their home countries informed when necessary. GRIPS staff also provide assistance for the students’ families who are living in Japan.

Prof. Kotani (IUJ): IUJ students, including the JISPA scholars, from various countries live in on-campus dormitories with close interactions, which prevents our students from feeling isolated, or, even I can say that they cannot be isolated. In Urasa area where the IUJ is located, the local community has experience with international students and their families, in particular their kids who enroll in daycare centers and elementary schools. Thus, family members may not have difficulties in schooling and life. In addition, a Japanese student is assigned to help each international student when a situation occurs such as injuries. Lastly, with around 30 years’ experience in accepting international students, all administrative arrangements are tailor-made.

Prof. Nishizawa (UTokyo): Although the UTokyo is unable to provide dormitories, our international student advisor assists the JISPA scholars to find appropriate housing. There are also arrangements where current students assist incoming students by giving advice on academic and daily life. The UTokyo also has a strong language training programs, which will help our students to get adjusted to life in Japan. Japanese student tutors and experienced international students also support the scholars. Of course, our faculty members are always happy to support our students.

Prof. Ariyoshi (HIT): We offer the JISPA scholars rooms in university’s dormitories, where they can socialize and help each other with Japanese and international students on other programs. As mentioned several times, our APPP is a small program; so, our Program Manager can provide extensive support for scholars’ welfare to help out from settling-in to any other issues that may arise. While APPP is an English-medium program, we offer survival Japanese courses to make the scholars feel easier in their daily life. Most importantly, mutual support among classmates makes the scholars’ life active and fulfilled by organizing regular social activities and trips during holidays.

5. As mentioned above, the partnership universities offer JISPA scholars the programs with macroeconomic focus; however, the universities have different strengths and characteristics. Please describe the features and strengths that your university has.

Prof. Leon (GRIPS): I would like to explain three features of GRIPS. The strength of GRIPS is that we have a clear vision and objective as a whole university, that is, to foster leaders in policymaking. With this aim, GRIPS offers two aspects of teaching; technical training and more practical issues through application and communication with policymakers. In the context of the JISPA, these two aspects are reinforced. The MEP, a program offered by GRIPS under the JISPA, lays the rigorous foundation of economic theories in macro-, micro-economics, econometrics, finance and other areas. In addition to these courses, courses in application and case studies are offered by professors who are experienced with policymaking. Another aspect is a wide alumni network that GRIPS has in the region. Every country has members of “GRIPS family”. To end, GRIPS provides a well-suited environment for international students with its 30 years’ experience, including all English speaking staff. The environment of GRIPS is very international.

Prof. Ariyoshi (HIT): HIT is well known to be one of the best universities in social science in Japan with well qualified faculty members. Our APPP, where the JISPA scholars enroll, is a very small program, as I have already mentioned several times. Big universities and programs can provide a wide variety of courses and a large number of staff with diverse expertise. However, we can offer unique benefits that only a small program can deliver. We provide very intensive instructions and create a range of interactions during each lecture where the maximum number of students is only around 15. As said earlier, one academic advisor is designated to each scholar throughout the two years of the program. The advisor gives guidance on academic issues including thesis writing and research methods. With such intensive interaction and supervision, our students are encouraged to produce high-quality thesis both in terms of theoretical basis, applications and policy implications for their home countries. Perhaps one-quarter to one-third of students’ effort during the Program is spent on their thesis, which is the culmination of their studies at HIT. Although unlike other big programs, we do not offer a huge range of courses, all core courses in economics as well as elective courses focusing specific applications of economics to policymaking are taught by our faculty members and outside experts who are well-experienced in this area with strong theoretical backgrounds.

The small size of our program also deepens and strengthens bonds among the students which last throughout their life-time. These bonds across countries indeed are of great benefit at international meetings of central banks and governments. The intensity of studies and experience distinguish HIT.

Prof. Kotani (IUJ): The feature and strength of the IUJ can be characterized by the location of the IUJ. All facilities, including dormitories, are situated on campus, which makes students know even the schedule of the faculty members during the whole day and night. At 23:00 or even at midnight, students can visit me for consultation. This is just one of the examples showing how closely and flexibly the students can approach and communicate with the faculty members. Furthermore, one of the JISPA scholars told me that the IUJ period represents the period in his life when he studied the hardest. In terms of a climate, Urasa area is very famous for its heavy snow, so called Yukiguni (snow country). Once snow falls, students can only study and organize social activities, which is a highly unique environment that IUJ provides for the scholars to concentrate on their studies.

In the context of the JISPA scholars’ education, they are interested in quantitative and analytical skills. With supervision from our faculty members, they pick up challenging topics and produce high-quality thesis. Some of thesis can be considered at the equivalent level to doctoral programs. By nature, we are prepared to give quantitative and analytical courses.

Prof. Nishizawa (UTokyo): I will explain the UTokyo’s strengths from three aspects. First, the faculty members of the MPP/IP, where the JISPA scholars study, consist of top-class academics in economics and law/politics, many of whom were experienced in policymaking by serving as members of key government advisory councils or actually working as senior government officials. The program provides broad courses from academic disciplines to policy issues. The second strength is that we also have many outside practitioners as teaching staff, who can provide more practical knowledge and experience. The third point is the interaction with Japanese students at our graduate school, who are motivated to work both in public and private sectors. A chance to establish a network with future key persons both in the public and private sectors is given to the JISPA scholars.

6. To what extent do you consider the JISPA has achieved its objectives?

Prof. Nishizawa (UTokyo): I trust that the JISPA has achieved a notable success during its 20 years history. Wherever I go in Asia, it is not that difficult to find the JISPA alumni who have reached high positions and greater responsibilities in their government. This fact clearly shows the success of the program.

Prof. Kotani (IUJ): Yes, indeed, many of our IUJ-JISPA alumni tell me that they were promoted quickly.

Prof. Nishizawa (UTokyo): Let me add one thing. Thanks to the arrangements of the JISPA universities that each has different strengths, around 600 scholars have studied under the program and the alumni have spread throughout Asia as key policymakers. This could not have been achieved with only a single university. The joint efforts among the partnership universities have contributed to such an achievement and benefit.

Prof. Leon (GRIPS): We see many examples that showcase the JISPA alumni with greater responsibilities in macroeconomic policymaking in their home countries. One example is former Soviet Union countries. Since the theme is the 20th anniversary of the program, let me look back to the start of the JISPA which was established to assist transition economy countries. The alumni contributed to the transition from planned economy to market-oriented economy. A recent example is that many of the JISPA alumni came to Tokyo to attend the IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting in 2012 as representatives of their countries. Some of them gave a speech at the inauguration ceremony by expressing how much they appreciated their training in Japan.

Prof. Ariyoshi (HIT): The involvement of the limited number of partnership universities in Japan under the JISPA gives much more coherence to the scholarship and provides a stronger network for scholars. Many other scholarship programs give their scholars free choice of institutions, which may often result in a lesser sense of belonging. The JISPA is one of the rare occasions that the scholarship itself provides coherence and integrity, with the alumni coming not only from their university but also from the scholarship program.

In terms of the objective, the idea is to help train people who contribute to better policymaking in their countries. In that respect, when we see the JISPA alumni in their respective institutions and at international meetings, you may get a sense that the objectives and targets have been achieved.

7. Please give any message to potential candidates.

Prof. Kotani (IUJ): My message is very simple: Please apply for the JISPA if you are interested in the history of how Japan has developed. Comparing the situation of Japan with your country will be helpful for your future and your country as well.

Prof. Nishizawa (UTokyo): I would like to say to the candidates: Join the JISPA network to become macroeconomic professionals and share professional identity of the JISPA community!

Prof. Ariyoshi (HIT): Here is my message: If you have a strong desire to improve the welfare of your country and your fellow citizens, and you are willing to work hard to achieve this objective, do come and apply for the JISPA. It is not going to be easy. Study is tough; but it is ultimately going to be rewarding. The one to two years of study under the JISPA will be one of the best years and experiences of your life when you look back on it later. You will also establish friendships that will last a life-time. Your life in Japan will be very valuable. So, BE PREPARED.

Prof. Leon (GRIPS): I encourage the candidates to apply for the JISPA: It provides you with strong background to enable you to understand the current policy debates, how to get the best practice methods in policy making, to better contribute to the progress and welfare to serve the people of your countries and international community more effectively. It is a worthwhile and necessary investment to improve knowledge and human capital, in that way we can improve the performance of work of government officials.

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OAP-Hosted Seminars: As part of the series of OAP capacity building seminars, MCM and OAP jointly organized the seminar on “Stress Testing of Banks” on March 13-14, 2014, in Tokyo, Japan. The seminar aimed to help deepen the operational knowledge and the role of stress testing in regulatory and supervisory framework as well as in financial sector surveillance. There were four JISPA alumni attending this seminar: Mr. Sideth LY (National Bank of Cambodia), Messrs. Aloun Bounyong and Visone Saysongkham (both from the Bank of Lao PDR), and Dr. BÙI Văn Hải (State Bank of Vietnam). Furthermore, the current JISPA scholars were invited to this seminar and given opportunities to participate in group discussions, where they played an active role.

The JISPA scholars were invited to various seminars organized by OAP. There were two OAP country seminars: (1) "Indonesia: Developments and Prospects"by Mr. David Cowen, Advisor and Mission Chief for Indonesia, IMF Asia and Pacific Department (APD), on March 26, 2014; and (2) “China's Economic Outlook and Reform Priorities”, by Mr. Alfred Shipke, IMF Senior Resident Representative for China on April 03, 2014. On May 8, 201 4, the seminar titled "Regional Economic Outlook for Asia and the Pacific: Risks and Opportunities” was delivered by Mr. Romain Duval, Head of Regional Studies Division, APD. The joint APD-OAP seminar, “Toward a More Dynamic Business Sector in Japan”, was held on May 30, 2014. The seminar included presentations on policy options to revive Japan’s corporate sector by Mr. Ruud de Mooij, Deputy Division Chief of the Tax Policy Division, FAD, and by Mr. Giovanni Ganelli, Senior Economist, OAP, as well as a panel discussion including Mr. Stephan Danninger, Division Chief for Japan, APD.

Scholar’s comment on the JISPA Seminar: In March 2014, I had a chance to join two seminars held by IMF-OAP, named “Financial Inclusion” and “Stress Testing of Banks”.

On March 12, Mr. Martine Čihák, Deputy Division Chief, Monetary and Capital Markets Department presented the “Financial Inclusion”. From his presentation, I learnt a great deal of fundamental knowledge about what financial inclusion is, why it is relevant, how it is measured, what the linkages/tradeoffs between financial stability and financial inclusion are as well as the linkages between financial innovation and financial inclusion. I really appreciated that he kindly discussed and patiently answered our questions to help us deeply understand.

On March 13 and 14, I took part in the capacity building seminar entitled “Stress Testing of Banks”. It was the first time that I attended this type of seminar, and it provided me with a unique opportunity to develop my knowledge and understanding as well as a human network. First, we heard from various experts from IMF, BOJ and BOK presenting in this seminar. Second, it had a hands-on exercise part, so we could immediately apply the knowledge and techniques to conducting the stress test. Third, we also participated in group discussions with the participants coming from several central banks like Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar, which enabled us to make an effective contribution. Lastly, the seminar brought up some interesting ideas and I intend to develop such ideas in my thesis. At the seminar, I also had opportunities to exchange my contact with the experts and most of the colleagues, and I believe that they will support me when I will need help.

(Mr. Doan Ngoc Thang, 2013-15, GRIPS, State Bank of Vietnam)

Visit to the Partnership Universities: As part of the JISPA mid-term review, the committee members visited each partnership university through late-April until mid-May. The purpose of the visit was to confirm the university’s fulfillment of obligations as in the agreement, and to receive any views and feedback both from the faculty members and scholars with the aim of enhancing the JISPA for the next coming years. The scholars provided their constructive opinions to the committee.

Japan-IMF Macroeconomic Seminar for Asia: In collaboration with OAP, GRIPS held the third Japan-IMF Macroeconomic Seminar for Asia (JIMS) on March 10-14, 2014. The JIMS is an annual one-week seminar for senior Asian officials, which serves as a forum for current policy discussions. The seminar included a presentation on the global and Asian economic outlook by Mr. Odd Per Brekk, OAP Director. This year, 30 officials from 20 economies participated, including two JISPA alumni: Ms. Rashfa Mariyam (Maldives Monetary Authority) and Mr. Mahmudov Ulugbek (Central Bank of Uzbekistan).

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1. Please describe your career path after graduating from the JISPA. How has the JISPA contributed to your career development?

After graduating from Saitama University (former GRIPS) with a Diploma in Political Science in 1996 under the JISPA, I rejoined the Bank of the Lao PDR working for the Research Department. The main duties at that time were monitoring the implementation of Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) Program extended from the IMF to the Lao Government through coordinating with the relevant ministries, and contributing to the formulation of monetary policies.

After receiving an M.A. in International Economics and Finance from the Graduate School of Business Administration, Brandeis University, USA, under the Fulbright Scholar Program, during 2000-2004, I worked for the SME Department, International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Washington D.C. as Operations Analyst and Monitoring Officer. During this period, I was exposed to structuring and monitoring Technical Assistance (TA) programs financed by IFC to strengthen SMEs’ capacity building, namely the Capacity Building Facility Program and Indonesian Enterprise Development Facility, and lead the team to structure the World Bank Group SME Database System.

During 2004-2007, I joined three departments after I had returned to the Bank of the Lao PDR. In the Banking Operations Department, I served as Chief of Foreign Exchange Reserve Management Division. In the International Relation Department, I was responsible for banking cooperation programs with ASEAN, EU and WTO. As the Deputy Director of the Monetary Department, I was in charge of supervising foreign exchange and promoting the utilization of Kip currency.

In 2008-2010, under a special assignment, I was one among 10 key staff from the Bank of the Lao PDR to work on the preparation to establish a capital market in Lao PDR. After the Securities Commission of Lao (LSC) and Lao Securities Commission Office (LSCO) were formed in 2009, I was appointed to be the Secretary to LSC in 2010 and I have been heading LSCO as General Director since 2011.

I consider the JISPA Program as the second step to open my career path and the first door to a market economic mechanism. Based on market economic concepts learned from JISPA, I was able to identify required fields for further education and a path of my career with the support from the management of the Bank of the Lao PDR, which in turn has contributed to my current capacity to deal with securities market supervision and development.

¹ Master's degree was not conferred on the intake from 1993 through 1995, because the program was not a degree program.

2. Have you worked on any issues relevant to Japan or regional cooperation? If so, please explain the duties and/or experiences that you had.

While working for the International Relation Department, enormous efforts were put on the cooperation with ASEAN and ASEAN + 3, particularly the participation in ASEAN Bond Market Initiatives. During the preparation period of establishment of the Lao capital market, I was involved in cooperation with Japan through a TA program extended by JICA for training. My responsibilities at that time were to work with Japanese experts in identifying training needs and topics, and organizing the training programs.

On behalf of the securities regulators, these days I have been largely involved in the regional cooperation to set up Lao securities relations with international securities regulators. As a result, LSC had signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation and exchange of information with securities regulators with P.R. China, Vietnam, and Thailand. We work closely with SC Malaysia and have started cooperation with FSA in Hong Kong. From time to time, we received training and advisories from FSS and Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea. I also participate in the ASEAN Capital Market Forum in order to consider the harmonization of securities products and business standards to facilitate cross-border of securities products and professionals with other ASEAN securities regulators hand in hand.

One of the ASEAN+3 initiatives to promote bond market development in the region is technical assistance (TA) to Lao PDR government to develop a bond market. This TA project is conducted by Nomura Research Institute to assist us in drafting LSC regulations on corporate bond issuance, which are expected to be approved by Lao Securities Commission within this year. My role is therefore to guide our staff to identify needed areas to work with Nomura Research Institute; supervising the implementation; and providing feedback to the TA team.

3. You are currently working as Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission Office of the Bank of the Lao PDR. Could you please briefly outline your duties as the Director-General, mentioning any challenging issues that you are facing (if there are any)?

According to the Law on Securities LSC, LSC is defined as securities regulators to formulate development policy and supervisory measures on securities activities within Lao jurisdiction. LSC is not a day-to-day working body, and they meet on a quarterly basis to approve key issues or regulations proposed by LSCO. Therefore, LSCO is in charge of the day-to-day supervision of the securities market. Currently, LSCO comprises 6 divisions with about 50 staff. Our duties include approving and monitoring securities issuances; providing licenses for establishment and supervising securities intermediaries; monitoring the operation of the securities exchange; and handling securities disputes and conducting investigations related to securities activities. To ensure effective work, we have to build a number of regulations for supervision tools in order to facilitate development growth while ensuring fairness, transparency and efficiency. Based on these duties, over the past 4 years, we were able to achieve basic startup conditions for the capital market to operate. The Lao capital market structure includes:; LSC and LSCO as securities regulators; Lao Securities Exchange (a stock market); 4 securities companies and one foreign securities company representative office (Nomura Securities); 3 local commercial banks participating in cash settlement; 3 audit companies (E&Y, PwC, KPMG) registered with LSC to provide audit services related to securities market activities; and 3 listed companies. We have accomplished developing Securities laws and more than 20 regulations and guidelines.

Accordingly, as Director General of LSCO and Secretary to LSC, I have to be responsible for all activities of LSCO, take the lead in the office, focus on an annual work plans to propose to LSC for its approval, lead staff within LSCO to implement the plan, report to LSC, coordinate with other relevant ministries and agencies, and take the lead in coordinating with other securities regulators and international organizations.

We are facing various challenges such as limited human resources, a lack of understanding on the concepts of the capital market, inadequate conditions for issuance of securities by enterprises, and insufficient technical assistance from donors. On the top of these challenges, I feel that the biggest challenge is to balance the role of securities regulators between development drivers and supervisory functions so that the domestic capital market will grow healthily and sustainably to contribute to the economic development and poverty reduction effectively.

4. Please describe the economic outlook of Lao PDR and any policy challenges

Based on the government policy, I foresee that the Lao economy will continue to grow at the rate of no less than 7-8 percent per annum for the next five years and the Lao PDR will be able to lift itself from being a less developed country. A number of economic sectors tend to have a positive outlook including energy, finance, manufacture, agriculture, construction, and tourism. Through being a WTO member and preparing for the ASEAN Economic Community, there have been more opportunities for Lao producers to expand and export their products; however, at the same time, they also need to overcome a number of challenges, especially to increase competitiveness.

5. Please briefly describe your student days in Japan, such as your major and research interest, as well as your experience of life in Japan.

Japan - a land of sunshine- was the first ever country in my life where I had learnt about the market economic. The most interesting subjects for me were microeconomics, macroeconomics and Japanese lessons on industrial development. For about 10 months living in Saitama, I was happy and had no difficulties to adapt myself to living conditions and culture. With many international friends, we did not only help each other in studying but also shared work experience together and were exposed to Japanese culture. I joined a home stay program; visited some historical sites and Kyoto; loved Japanese cuisine; and tried Kimono. We also enjoyed the Japanese language class where we learnt to sing Japanese songs including “Hana”.

6. Any message to the current JISPA scholars studying in Japan as well as potential candidates?

It is not everyone who will be lucky to be selected and admitted to JISPA, thus once you are in the program, please try to get best out of it. Learning economics, finance, and business theory is essential, but also incorporating with Japanese experience and practice will help you develop not just only your career path but also your country since I believe that you can tailor the development aspect of Japan into your own country situation.

7. Do you have any message that you wish to mention to Japan?

From what I am responsible for today, I hope the cooperation between Lao and Japan in the area of capital market development will continue to be enhanced. Currently, Japanese investors rank among the top 5 of foreign investors in Lao Securities Market and I expect to see this movement grow in the future. With the right policy and the decisive commitment of the Lao government to lift the country from least developed countries by 2020, significant funding is required for economic development. With strength and knowledge gained from various places including Japan, I will try my best to upgrade the regulatory regime of the Lao capital market to facilitate the development while being in line with international standards. For this aim, I believe that Japanese can contribute to the capital market development in Lao in many ways such as securities business, credit rating agencies, custodian services, and securities product development, etc.

8. Please provide us with any comments that you wish to convey.

Continue to produce this newsletter and if possible organize additional events for the alumni to meet and share experiences.

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1. Please outline your work responsibilities before enrolling on your studies in Japan.

I worked for seven years as an auditor, and for the last three and half as a head of Department at the State Tax Committee of Uzbekistan before coming to Japan. The key responsibilities of my job were to coordinate and manage the team responsible for the audit of companies. I myself also conducted audits and examined relevant documents and data concerning the calculation and discharge of taxes and duties. Moreover, I also organized seminars for taxpayers and other financial organizations in order to introduce and explain the public relation activities, tax counseling, tax education, audit and examination.

2. What led you to study in Japan, and what motivated you to apply for the JISPA?

When I reached a certain stage of my career, I came to the decision that I would need more academic knowledge to analyze the problems the government and firms were facing in my agency. I chose the JISPA, because I consider it as the best opportunity for me to obtain both a foreign degree and academic opportunity in order to widen my experience and knowledge which I could later use to contribute to policy making in my country.

3. What are you studying? (What have you been studying?)

Now I am conducting research on the management of working capital by Japanese firms, its relationship with profitability and solvency as well as their responses to demand and supply shocks. In my further analysis, I intend to conduct similar research on Uzbek firms.

4. Please tell us of one experience in Japan that made you feel happy, sad, surprised, or moved.

There have been many such occasions and cases that made me happy finding valuable things, assistance of kind Japanese people etc. Many are related with the education and safety of Japan and the honesty and discipline of Japanese people. The most interesting case happened once I had received a phone call from a Koban Police officer near my house. After confirming my name, he asked me whether I could come to his office immediately because my 10-year-old son was with him. I was really worrying about why my son being kept by the police. Knowing my poor listening comprehension on the telephone at that time, I quickly agreed without asking the reason and hurried to his office. The policeman, who had called me, and my son were waiting for me, with a Japanese man in his 50s. Then, the police officer informed me that my son had found a mobile phone while playing at the park and brought it to the police branch. As a result, the police could find the real owner and called me to say thank you. I was really happy because of my son’s behavior at that time. Such cases happened many times before; the only difference was that we had always been in the place of “that Japanese man in his 50s”. Using this opportunity, I would like to mention one thing which also surprises me. It is related with the Japanese custom of starting and ending meal with “Itadakimasu” and “Gochiso sama deshita” respectively. What surprises me is that I have not seen any Japanese who failed to say so.

5. Please describe your experience and/or impression of the JISPA (such as the Orientation Program, seminars, and meetings with IMF/OAP economists).

I really like JISPA seminars and other OAP-hosted seminars because they usually invite both academics and government officials together. I usually go to the seminars to learn how advanced academics approach a problem and how the policymakers understand their point of view when they implement the policy. JISPA seminars gave us a very good opportunity to differentiate between the academic and practical approaches to real economic phenomena. Another very important point I learned is how to make clear, understandable and informative presentations in front of big forward-thinking audience.

6. How would you like to utilize the knowledge and skills obtained through your studies under the JISPA in your future work?

The most important thing what I have learnt during my academic life in Japan is that any economic, social and financial problems should be solved with an academic approach. Any new policy should be implemented after thorough empirical and theoretical analysis. As a developing country, Uzbekistan still has a range of issues to be solved and developed. My initial contribution will be that I will urge my department to have a strong relationship with internal and international academic institutions.

7. What is your future career vision and dream?

I want to see my future in politics in Uzbekistan. If I go back to my previous position, my contribution would be very narrow, only within my department or within my colleagues. If I choose politics, it may give me wider opportunities to contribute my experience to the economy, countrywide. I want Uzbekistan to be linked with advanced countries and international institutions at a more advanced level and our nation to enjoy from these bilateral relationships. My dream is to be one of the top leaders of my country. Another opportunity for me to contribute would be to work for an international institution for a while, and use that experience to enhance policy making in my country.

8. What is your favorite proverb or motto?

"Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free-time before your preoccupation, and your life before your death."

9. Do you have any message to Japan?

Hardworking Japanese people deserve a good life. I wish they could export that ability as well.

10. Please provide us with any comments that you wish to convey.

It is always at the end that we thank someone. My life in Japan is fully supported by the JISPA. Without that, I wouldn’t be able to get this opportunity. I am thankful. If I could construct deeper economic association between Japan and my country Uzbekistan, I think this should be my greatest gratefulness to the Japanese nation.

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