Accept Prime Minister Shmyhal, PM Fumio Kishida: Japan Continues To Support Ukraine

PM Fumio Kishida with PM Denys Shmyhal at the Japan-Ukraine Conference. (Source: Prime Minister's Office of Japan)

JAKARTA - Japan promised to continue to support Ukraine, which is facing war due to the Russian invasion, when the head of government of the two countries met in Tokyo on Monday.

"Japan has supported and continues to support Ukraine," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a speech opening the meeting which was also attended by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

At a meeting titled the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Economic Growth and Reconstruction Promotion, PM Kishida said the situation was "not easy", but helping Kyiv recover was "investment in the future".

PM Kishida vowed to continue offering reconstruction support to war-torn Ukraine, working with the private sector, leveraging technological experience and knowledge in recovery from the earthquake, Kyodo News quoted.

In his keynote address, PM Kishida said the two countries would make agreements to eliminate double taxes and start negotiations to revise investment agreements that allow Japanese companies to join the reconstruction project in Ukraine.

He added that his government would establish an office of Japan's External Trade Organization in Kyiv to improve business relations between the two countries. Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry said Tokyo had relaxed its travel restrictions to increase investment in Ukraine.

On this occasion, the two witnessed the signing of more than 50 memorandums of cooperation between the public sector and the private sector of the two countries in various fields. This includes rebuilding infrastructure, deleting mines, agricultural expansion, improving humanitarian situations, developing biotechnology, industry and information technology, as well as improving governance, Japanese government officials said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shmyhal said through an interpreter the meeting marked a new chapter in Japan-Ukraine relations, adding Ukraine would never forget Japan's support.

In his speech, PM Shmyhal asked PM Kishida, who traveled to Ukraine in March 2023 to hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky before hosting the Group of Seven Summit in May in Hiroshima, to visit Ukraine again.

In a joint communication, PM Kishida and PM Shmyhal reiterated that strengthening sanctions against Russia was an important and effective step to hinder Moscow's military activities.