On Monday, Japan and Ukraine signed approximately 56 agreements covering various fields, including post-war recovery, during the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction in Tokyo. The event marked a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations, particularly as the Russia-Ukraine war enters its second year this month. Around 130 officials and business representatives from both sides attended the conference.
In his address, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan acknowledged the ongoing fighting in Ukraine and the challenges it presented, emphasizing that Japan was committed to supporting Ukraine’s economic reconstruction. He described this effort as an investment in the future, with both Japan’s public and private sectors working together. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal echoed this sentiment, noting that the conference represented a key moment to further develop relations and turn the challenges into opportunities for growth and prosperity.
Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was scheduled to speak at the event, he canceled his planned video address without offering a reason. The agreements signed at the conference focused on a wide array of areas such as infrastructure rebuilding, demining, agricultural expansion, humanitarian improvements, biotechnology, industrial and IT development, and governance enhancement. The two sides also discussed steps to eliminate double taxation and are exploring the possibility of Japan opening an office in Kyiv to boost business ties between the two countries.
Japan has consistently condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine, joining its Western allies in imposing sanctions on Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
