Japanese foreign minister visits Kyiv
Photo: Yoko Kamikawa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan (flick.com)
Today, on January 7th, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Yoko Kamikawa, arrived in Ukraine for a visit. She will meet with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, as well as other government officials, reports the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine.
As noted by the embassy, this is the first foreign visit of the Japanese Foreign Minister this year.
Photo: Yoko Kamikawa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan (flick.com)
"During the visit, Minister Kamikawa will once again reaffirm Japan's consistent policy of supporting Ukraine, which remains unchanged even in the current complex international situation. Minister Kamikawa will also inform the Ukrainian side about the details of the relevant assistance and our plans," writes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Expectations from the visit include:
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Kamikawa will announce that Japan will demonstrate its commitment on February 19 during the Japanese-Ukrainian conference on promoting economic reconstruction with the personal participation of Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
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The Japanese Foreign Minister will participate in discussions with Ukrainian partners regarding efforts aimed at achieving a fair and lasting peace.
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The minister will also take part in a ceremony for the transfer of large-scale energy equipment to aid in winter preparedness.
"Throughout the visit, Minister Kamikawa will demonstrate Japan's determination to support the international order based on the 'supremacy of the law,' with a view to the unacceptability of unilateral changes to the status quo by force, such as Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The minister will also emphasize the importance of protecting women and children, who are particularly vulnerable during war, and ensuring 'human dignity,'" adds the press service.
Japan's assistance
On December 7, 2023, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced his country's readiness to allocate $4.5 billion for Ukraine. The funds will be directed towards the country's recovery from the consequences of Russian aggression.
Tokyo also lifted the ban on the export of weapons and is preparing to send Patriot air defense missiles to the United States, which will help the Pentagon continue supplies to Ukraine by replenishing stocks.
At the end of December, Ukraine's state budget received approximately $950 million from Japan as part of World Bank projects for recovery and social protection.
