Japan on Monday stressed its commitment to supporting Ukraine and pledged long-term engagement in the war-torn country's reconstruction ahead of the second anniversary of Russia's invasion, calling it a future investment.
In his keynote speech at a conference Japan co-organized with the Ukrainian government and business organizations, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Japanese public and private cooperation will be a long-term partnership based on inclusivity, humanitarianism as well as technology and knowledge.
Kishida stressed 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 Kishida announced an opening of a new government trade office in Kyiv.
Among the deals was Japan's pledge of 15.8 billion yen ($105 million) in new aid for Ukraine to fund demining and other urgently needed reconstruction projects in the energy and transportation sectors, the Foreign Ministry said.
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."
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. A new U.S. aid package to Ukraine is stalled in the Congress.
New start
Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who led his country's delegation of more than 100 people, expressed thanks for the encouragement and said that "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 said. "Japan's experiences in reconstruction (from World War II) 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 goes 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 automakers to open factories in Ukraine.
About 300 people and 80 companies were to attend from the two countries, Japanese officials have said.
The Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction is co-organized by the Japanese and Ukrainian governments, Japan's powerful business organization Keidanren, and Japan External Trade Organization, or JETRO.
In a joint communique, the two sides stated Japan's long-term support in helping Ukraine achieve economic stability. The two countries also noted the importance of maintaining tough sanctions against Russia.
Japan announced the start of talks toward revising a bilateral investment pact and easing of travel restrictions for Japanese business visitors to Ukraine.
National security
The conference is largely about reconstruction and investment in Ukraine, but it's also about Japan's national security.
Kishida repeatedly said that "Ukraine today could be East Asia tomorrow," and it is 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 Friday.
Japan's $12.1 billion contribution to Ukraine over the past two years is mostly financial and humanitarian as its military equipment provisions are limited to non-lethal weapons, and much smaller compared to the $111 billion the United States has provided in weapons, equipment, humanitarian assistance.
Japan's government has chosen seven target areas – including removal of mines and debris; improvement of humanitarian and living conditions; farming; biochemical manufacturing; digital and information industry; infrastructure in power and transportation sectors; and anti-corruption measures.
Japan, in cooperation with other Group of Seven (G-7) members, hopes to link the Tokyo conference to a separate Ukraine reconstruction conference to be held in Germany in June.