Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi recently met with visiting Ambassador of Japan to Tajikistan, Tsutomu Hiraoka, Asia-Plus learnt from the MFA information department. During the meeting, both sides discussed issues related to bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Japan, the Afghan problems and a number of other regional issues being of mutual interest. Zarifi acquainted the guest on the current situation in Tajikistan and effects of the global financial crisis on the country’s economy. He also expressed gratitude to Japan for financing of a number of vitally significant programs and projects in Tajikistan, including rehabilitation of roads Dusti-Nizhny Panj and Dusti-Qurghon Teppa, rehabilitation of water supply system in Khatlon’s Hamadoni district as well as training courses for Tajik specialists in Japan. He stressed the time has come for expansion of cooperation between the two countries.