In June 2019 a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the area of renewable energy was signed between Azerbaijan and Japan. This cooperation serves to develop the renewable energy sector in Azerbaijan. Aviation In January 2016, the leadership of Silk Way West Airlines opened a direct freight air service between the cities of Baku and Komatsu. In summer of 2017, negotiations were held in Baku between representatives of the aviation administrations of both countries. The topic of discussion was the possibility of opening direct cargo and passenger flights. Other areas Japan and Azerbaijan also cooperate in other areas such as high technology, agribusiness, pharmaceuticals, education, and tourism. In December 2009, the Japanese government allocated $763.82 for the implementation of 8 projects in Azerbaijan. On 25 December, 8 projects of non-governmental organizations and the Rayon Education Department were prepared. It is planned to improve the irrigation system in 8 villages of the Berde and Terter districts; construction of schools in the villages of Khurshud (Salyan region) and Ikinji Nagadi (Guba district). In July 2015, a grant agreement was signed between the governments of both countries in the city of Balaken on the project “Improvement of the waste management system”. In October 2015, as part of the visit of the Minister of Economic Renewal Affairs of Japan, Mr. Akira Amari to Azerbaijan, Japan and Azerbaijan signed a letter of intent highlighting the cooperation in the economic field between the two countries. The international cooperation Japan voted for the election of Azerbaijan as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2012-2013). Tourism In 2013, 373 Azerbaijani citizens applied to the Japanese delegation for a visa. In the same year, 2,471 people from Japan visited Azerbaijan. Since February 1, 2016, citizens of a number of eastern countries, including Japan, have achieved simplification of permission to obtain an entry visa at the international airports of Azerbaijan. Earlier, in January of the same year, the rules for visas for Azerbaijan were simplified for Japanese citizens. The Japanese were granted single-entry visas for a period of 30 days at all international Azerbaijani airports. The number of tourists from Japan increased by 37.1 percent in 2019. Cultural relations Seminars and training courses are organized in Azerbaijan every year. The Japanese language is taught both in secondary schools and in universities in Azerbaijan such as Baku State University, the Azerbaijan University of Languages, etc. The Azerbaijani language is