On Friday, July 10, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha held a working meeting with Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine Masashi Nakagome, Head of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Office in Ukraine Osamu Hattori and Economic Advisor for Ukraine at the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Office in Ukraine Shigeru Kono.
The main topic of the meeting was a discussion of the practical outcomes of the Minister’s working visit to Japan, which took place from June 30 to July 2, 2026, and the next steps toward implementing the agreements reached in Tokyo.
Andrii Sybiha expressed his gratitude to the Japanese side for the warm welcome extended to the Ukrainian delegation, as well as for Japan’s unwavering political, financial, humanitarian, and economic support for Ukraine amid the Russian war.
The Minister specifically highlighted the practical outcomes of the visit, including the Japanese government’s decision to support the restoration of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra through UNESCO mechanisms, as well as to provide grant support for a scholarship program aimed at developing human capital.
The parties discussed further cooperation with JICA, focusing on projects for Ukraine’s recovery, strengthening our country’s energy resilience ahead of the upcoming heating season, humanitarian demining, healthcare, education, transportation, water supply, and the development of municipal infrastructure.
Andrii Sybiha emphasized the importance of continued Japanese support for Ukraine’s energy sector amid ongoing massive Russian attacks.
Special attention was given to deepening cooperation with JETRO, expanding direct contacts between Ukrainian and Japanese companies, engaging Japanese businesses in the reconstruction and modernization of Ukraine, and the practical implementation of the agreements reached during the Japan–Ukraine Energy Business Dialogue business forum in Tokyo.
The parties also discussed the creation of the Ukraine-Japan Business Cooperation Desk (“Kizuna Desk”) – a new platform for developing Ukrainian-Japanese business partnerships, investment cooperation, and expanding the participation of Japanese companies in Ukraine’s recovery.
Andrii Sybiha emphasized that the agreements reached during the visit to Japan are already being put into practice. The minister reaffirmed Ukraine’s interest in continuing to actively engage the Japanese government, JICA, JETRO, and the Japanese private sector in Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction, and long-term economic transformation.
“During my visit to Japan, I repeatedly said ‘thank you’. Today I had another opportunity to say it to our Japanese friends. But the best way to express gratitude is to work together to implement tangible projects that strengthen Ukraine, open up new opportunities for our economies, and deepen the Ukraine-Japan strategic partnership”, Andrii Sybiha noted.