Japan’s top diplomat makes unannounced visit to Ukraine

The Japanese foreign minister arrived in Ukraine following a visit to Peru.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the visit aims to "show Tokyo's commitment to Kyiv in its fight against Russia's military aggression, now involving North Korean troops."

The Japanese diplomat traveled to Ukraine by train from Poland. On Saturday, November 16, Iwaya is scheduled to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha.

Kyodo also reported that later in the day, Iwaya might hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"The visit comes as Donald Trump's return to the White House following his win in the Nov. 5 US presidential election has cast a shadow over the prospects of financial aid to Ukraine from the Group of Seven industrialized nations," Kyodo reports.

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya travels by train to Ukraine in eastern Poland on November 15, 2024 (photo: kyodonews.net)

Japan’s support for Ukraine

Japan, along with the United States and other G7 members, has supported Ukraine by imposing economic sanctions on Russia since the large-scale invasion began in February 2022. These measures include freezing Russian assets and banning exports.

The last visit by a Japanese foreign minister to Ukraine occurred in January, when Yōko Kamikawa, then head of the ministry, met with President Zelenskyy.

In March of the previous year, former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also visited Kyiv.

Leadership change in Japan

In October, Shigeru Ishiba assumed the role of Japan’s new prime minister, succeeding Fumio Kishida, who announced his resignation in August. Kishida chose not to run in the election for the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Shigeru Ishiba was elected leader of the LDP in late September and subsequently confirmed as Japan’s new prime minister by the country’s parliament.