Japan, Uzbekistan Sign Customs Agreement

Japan and Uzbekistan signed a “customs mutual support agreement” to prevent smuggling and more efficiently carry out customs procedures, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a Dec. 19 press release, according to an unofficial translation. The agreement aims to reduce smuggling of illegal drugs and improve “trade facilitation measures” by simplifying customs procedures, it said. The agreement calls for more information sharing, which will ensure “proper application” of customs laws and customs investigations.