KYIV: Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa made an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Sunday, meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba to emphasize Tokyo’s unwavering support for the nation after Russia’s invasion.
The visit deviated from Kamikawa’s initial two-week tour plan, which included stops in Poland, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Germany, and Turkey. This unexpected detour took her to Bucha, near Kyiv, the site of a 2022 massacre blamed on Russian forces, and Irpin, a location of past intense fighting.
Japan has been among the nations providing support to Ukraine, expanding sanctions against Moscow, including export bans and asset freezes. Kamikawa, arriving from Poland, aimed to reiterate Japan’s steadfast commitment to standing with and supporting Ukraine, according to a statement from the Japan’s foreign ministry.
Japan’s Assistance for Ukraine
During the visit, Kamikawa briefed Ukrainian officials on the details of assistance projects Japan plans to offer Kyiv. Japan is set to host a conference in Tokyo in February to promote Ukraine’s economic reconstruction, with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal scheduled to attend.
The Japanese Foreign Minister also participated in the handover ceremony of large-scale power-related equipment for winterization assistance. The ministry stated that unilateral changes to the status quo by force, such as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, are unacceptable.
