Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says Japan plans to allocate EUR 160 million to support Ukraine’s economic recovery projects.
“I have announced our priorities for rapid recovery: energy, housing, critical infrastructure, humanitarian demining and business support. I am grateful to the Japanese delegation for today’s mission, which will further involve Japanese companies in the reconstruction,” Shmyhal wrote on his Telegram channel on Monday following a meeting with Japanese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Kiyoto Tsuji, Minister of State for Economy, Trade and Industry Kazuchika Iwata, and representatives of Japanese business.
According to the Prime Minister, Ukraine is interested in establishing joint ventures, especially in the processing industry. “Cooperation in agriculture, metalworking, machine building, critical raw materials and IT is important for us. Japan’s experience in post-war recovery can be useful for Ukraine’s economic recovery,” Shmyhal added.
Japan will launch a new program to support Ukrainian refugees from April 2024, aimed at helping Ukrainians adapt in Japan, particularly by learning the country’s language and culture, The Japan Times reported.
“The Immigration Services Agency said on October 20 that it will launch a program in April to help foreign nationals fleeing conflict zones adjust to life in Japan… The program was designed mainly to help Ukrainian evacuees living in Japan, whose number exceeds 2,500,” The Japan Times reported.
The program is aimed at facilitating the adaptation of Ukrainians in Japan. In particular, within its framework it is possible to join courses lasting six months or one year to learn the Japanese language, as well as to familiarize oneself with the laws and customs of the country.
The Japanese Immigration Service Agency will also continue to provide cash payments to cover the living expenses of refugees from Ukraine. However, this will only apply to those without sponsors.
In addition, from December 1, 2023, a government decision will become effective in Japan, according to which foreigners who have taken refuge from the war in the country will be granted permission for long-term stay in Japan with the possibility of employment.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has announced the creation of the Ukraine Capacity Development Fund (UCDF) to provide technical assistance with a budget of $65 million over five years, and the Netherlands, Japan, Lithuania and Slovakia have become its first contributors for a total of $14.5 million.
“We are looking for $65 million over five years to expand (Ukraine’s) capacity development in the priority sectors supported by the IMF program. I am pleased to announce that donors have already pledged contributions of approximately $14.5 million. I am confident in your support for this initiative,” Georgieva said after a ministerial roundtable on Ukraine, which took place as part of the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank, which ended on Sunday in Marrakech.
It is specified that the Netherlands’ contribution to the fund amounted to $7 million.
The official event to launch the fund on the sidelines of the IMF and WB meetings was attended by IMF First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath, Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko, NBU Governor Andriy Pyshnyi and his deputy Sergii Nikolaychuk, as well as representatives of the four countries.
“These contributions will support the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities to stabilize macroeconomic conditions and restore the post-war economy while implementing comprehensive reforms that are consistent with Ukraine’s EU accession goals,” the IMF said in a statement announcing the creation of the UCDF.
Pyshny thanked the IMF for launching the new fund. He emphasized the importance of international financial assistance for Ukraine, reforming the Ukrainian economy, and strengthening the institutional capacity of the authorities.
Capacity Development Fund, JAPAN, LITHUANIA, NETHERLANDS, SLOVAKIA
Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa has announced the transfer of 24 crane trucks to Ukraine to help clear the territory of unexploded ordnance and two powerful transformers in preparation for winter.
“Last year, Russian attacks on infrastructure forced Ukrainians to live without electricity and heating. In this context, it is very important to prepare well for the winter. I have informed that Japan is handing over two large transformers by the end of September as an aid. Also, today there will be a ceremony of handing over 24 trucks with cranes to help clear the territory of ammunition,” he said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
He also said that the Japanese government has decided to reopen the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) office in Kyiv in the near future.
Hayashi Yoshimasa also welcomed Ukraine’s efforts to establish long-term peace in the country, including President Zelensky’s “peace formula”.
“We have agreed with Minister Kuleba that Ukraine and Japan will work together to call on the international community, including the Global South, to achieve this goal,” the Japanese Foreign Minister said.
In addition, he noted that during today’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, they agreed to start negotiations on a separate bilateral document between Ukraine and Japan based on the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine.
“We will coordinate to ensure that the first round of consultations takes place as soon as possible,” the minister said.
The Japanese minister also said that he had visited the town of Bucha in Kyiv region.
Japan’s financial, humanitarian and technical assistance to Ukraine has already exceeded 7.6bn dollars. Japan’s financial, humanitarian and technical assistance to Ukraine has already exceeded 7.6bn dollars, Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk has said.
“Ukraine is grateful to all G7 countries, especially Japan, which is chairing the G7 this year, for its consistent position in support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our state. We are grateful to Japan for its principled position in the UN structures, in particular, as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. Ukraine is grateful to Japan for its unprecedented decisions to provide non-lethal military assistance and for receiving Ukrainian evacuees. We are immensely grateful for Japan’s financial, humanitarian and technical assistance, which has already exceeded 7.6 billion dollars. The Ukrainian parliament speaker said in a statement at a press conference at the National Press Club of Japan on Thursday.
Stefanchuk also expressed gratitude to the Japanese side for consistent cooperation with Ukrainian and foreign partners to bring the aggressor to justice.
“The investigation of the UN International Court of Justice, the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, the International Center for the Punishment of the Crime of Aggression in The Hague, the Register of Damage Caused by Aggression and the Compensation Fund are the main tools on this path. Russia must be stopped. Criminals must realize that punishment is inevitable,” he stressed.
In addition, the head of the VR noted that Ukraine counts on Japan’s support not only during the war, but also in times of peace, as Ukraine will need assistance and investments for post-war reconstruction of the destroyed economy.
“We would also like to utilize Japan’s incredible experience in rebuilding after wars and natural disasters. Therefore, I am pleased to welcome Japanese government agencies and companies to Ukraine to work together,” the speaker added.
As reported, on September 6-10, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk is on a working visit to Japan. In Tokyo, the speaker will take part in the parliamentary summit of the G7 countries (G7). He has been invited as a special guest of the summit. The program of the visit includes a number of bilateral meetings and Stefanchuk’s speech before the participants of the G7 parliamentary summit.
The working visit of the speaker of the Ukrainian parliament takes place against the background of an active dialog with Japan on Ukraine’s support in countering the Russian aggressor (in 2023 Japan will chair the G7).
Among the main goals of the visit are to strengthen the assistance to Ukraine from the G7 countries, to complement the efforts of the President and the Government of Ukraine and to expand cooperation with the parliaments of the G7 countries.
In addition, the aim is to strengthen bilateral relations between Japan and Ukraine and expand cooperation.
Japan will provide up to $7 billion in aid to Ukraine, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, speaking online at the 3rd Summit of the International Crimean Platform in Kyiv.
“Japan will continuously provide (Ukraine – IF-U) with a variety of assistance in the amount of up to $7 billion, depending on the needs,” he said.
In addition, Japan will use its experience and expertise in post-war reconstruction and disaster recovery to provide assistance, he said.
Kishida reiterated that Japan has consistently supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including Crimea, and will continue to work closely with the international community, particularly the G-7 countries, and join sanctions against Russia to provide continued support to Ukraine.
“I visited Kyiv and Bucha in March of this year and witnessed the tragedy with my own eyes. This confirmed my belief that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an extraordinary act that violates the foundations of the international order,” he said.
As Kishida emphasized, “Japan is on the side of the people of Ukraine to ensure peace and bring it back to the beautiful Ukrainian land.”
