Japan vows long-term support for Ukraine
TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday pledged his country’s long-term engagement in Ukraine’s reconstruction, calling it a future investment, as Tokyo stressed its commitment to supporting the war-torn country ahead of the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
In his keynote speech at a conference Japan co-organized with the Ukrainian government and business organizations, Kishida said Japanese public and private cooperation would be a long-term partnership based on inclusivity and humanitarianism, as well as technology and knowledge.
Kishida emphasized the importance of investment across industries for the future of that country’s development and ensuring that the support caters to Ukraine’s needs. More than 50 cooperation deals were signed by Japanese and Ukrainian government agencies and companies, and the premier announced an opening of a new government trade office in Kyiv.
Support for Ukraine’s reconstruction is about“investing in the future,”Kishida said.
“The war in Ukraine is still going on at this very moment and the situation is not easy. The promotion of economic reconstruction, however, is not only an investment for the future of Ukraine but also investing in Japan and the whole globe,” he added.
Japan hopes to build momentum for global support for Ukraine as the war drags on and attention has diverted to the conflict in Gaza. Japan’s focus on reconstruction — in part due to its legal restraints on providing lethal weapons — contrasts with many Western countries, whose largely military support faces increasing scrutiny over costs.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who led his country’s delegation of more than 100 people, expressed thanks for the encouragement and said, “Today is the new start of cooperation between the two countries.”
“By combining our powers ... we can change this challenge into an opportunity for future growth and prosperity,” he added. “Japan’s experiences in reconstruction (from World War 2) and its economic miracle provide us with inspiration.”
All eyes are on Ukraine, and “dictators and potential invaders” are also turning their eyes to see how Russia’s violation of the international law is seen and how the world will react to it.
Shmyhal said Ukraine’s reconstruction went far beyond the removal of landmines and debris. He emphasized his country’s strength in farming, rich natural resources and ambition to be a digital hub of Europe, with its information and cybersecurity expertise. He also urged Japanese automobile makers to open factories in Ukraine.
About 300 people and 80 companies were to attend from the two countries, Japanese officials have said.
The gathering, formally called the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction, is co-organized by the Japanese and Ukrainian governments, Tokyo’s powerful business organization Keidanren, and the Japan External Trade Organization.
In a joint communiqué, the two sides said Japan’s long-term support in helping Ukraine achieve economic stability. The two countries also raised the importance of maintaining tough sanctions on Russia.
Although the conference was largely about reconstruction and investment in Ukraine, Japan’s national security was also discussed.
Kishida repeatedly said, “Ukraine today could be East Asia tomorrow,” and it was crucial for Japan to advocate its objection to Russia’s invasion and to the one-sided change of the status quo by force. Its support for Ukraine comes amid fear of China’s increasingly assertive military actions in the region.
“It is extremely important that we demonstrate our solidarity to Ukraine in our uniquely Japanese way,” Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa told reporters last Friday.