At a conference in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida committed to aiding the rebuilding efforts in Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of economic recovery for Ukraine, Japan, and the global community.
During the event, which saw participation from hundreds of leaders from both nations, Kishida announced plans to ease visa restrictions and revealed that the Japan External Trade Organization is set to establish a presence in Kyiv.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal highlighted the signing of over 50 collaborative agreements between the two countries, including a significant convention to prevent double taxation, facilitating Japanese ventures in Ukraine.
Shmyhal expressed optimism about leveraging Japan’s post-WWII reconstruction success as a model for Ukraine’s growth and resurgence.
Since the onset of the conflict with Russia two years prior, Japan has contributed over $10 billion in support to Ukraine, primarily through financial and humanitarian means.
According to a recent report by the World Bank, EU, and UN, Ukraine’s reconstruction over the next decade is projected to require $486 billion.
Amid these diplomatic engagements, Ukraine reported new Russian drone attacks, with Ukrainian forces intercepting drones over the Kharkiv area, though no damage or casualties were reported immediately.
The capture of Avdiivka by Russian forces has sparked debate in the U.S. regarding the provision of $60 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, currently pending in Congress.
President Joe Biden discussed the significance of U.S. support for Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, amid discussions in the U.S. Congress about a substantial foreign aid package, which includes support for Ukraine, that has yet to be approved.
