Photo/Illutration Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in May 2023. (Pool)

The Japanese government will present seven areas of support for Ukraine, including clearing land mines, rebuilding livelihoods and boosting agriculture and digital technology, at a conference in Tokyo on Feb. 19. 

The details of the agreements to be made at the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction have been disclosed.

According to Japanese officials, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal will attend the conference, as well as around 300 government officials and company representatives.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to deliver a video address.

The seven areas of cooperation are land mine clearance and debris disposal; humanitarian aid and living condition improvement; agricultural development; biotechnology; digital and information technology; electric power and transportation infrastructure; and anti-corruption and governance-strengthening measures.

The first two areas will support emergency recovery.

The next three will support economic recovery.

The last two will support infrastructure development and stability.

The revisions of tax conventions in both countries and the establishment of a Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) office in Kyiv will be proposed.

More than 20 memorandums and agreements are expected to be signed between the two countries.

Participants from Japanese companies include representatives of Kubota Corp. and Yanmar Holdings Co. in the agriculture sector; Sumitomo Corp. and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. in the infrastructure sector; and Rakuten Group’s Rakuten Symphony Inc. in the digital sector.

A joint statement will be issued, affirming the importance of “restoring the freedom, independence and territorial integrity” of Ukraine and pledging long-term and continuous support.

In his speech, Kishida intends to advocate for “investment in the future,” aiming for comprehensive development from primary to tertiary industries. He will also indicate plans to enhance support in line with Ukraine’s needs.

Amid “support fatigue” from the United States and European countries due to Russia’s prolonged invasion, Japan intends to emphasize the need for continued support for Ukraine both domestically and internationally through the conference.

(This article was written by Shino Matsuyama and Anri Takahashi.)

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