Japan-Ukraine Relations
Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Shmyhal of Ukraine by Foreign Minister Hayashi
September 9, 2023
On September 9, commencing at 10:10 a.m. local time (same day, 4:10 p.m. JST) for approximately 45 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, during his visit to Ukraine, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Denys SHMYHAL, Prime Minister of Ukraine, together with accompanying representatives of business sectors. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi stated that he had long wanted to visit Ukraine as Foreign Minister of the G7 Presidency. Minister Hayashi expressed his gratitude for cooperation from the Ukrainian side in making his visit possible. Minister Hayashi also stated that he visited Bucha prior to the meeting to see with his own eyes the vivid scars of Russia’s aggression and to hear directly from the people on the ground. Minister Hayashi stated that it had renewed his determination that Japan will stand with Ukraine to restore peace on the beautiful land of Ukraine. In response, Prime Minister Shmyhal expressed his gratitude for Japan's outstanding contribution as the G7 Presidency and his expectations for Japan's leadership to continue support of the G7 for Ukraine.
- In addition, Minister Hayashi stated that he brought representatives of business sectors with him, and the aim is to make this visit an important opportunity to deepen the involvement of Japanese companies in recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. Minister Hayashi also stated that he hopes this visit would be meaningful so that it would be a precious kick-off of full-fledged reconstruction assistance in uniquely Japanese way. Prime Minister Shmyhal expressed his gratitude for Japan's efforts in recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine, including the energy and the humanitarian de-mining areas, on that the Ukrainian government puts importance. Prime Minister Shmyhal also expressed his expectation for continued support and for the significant role that Japanese companies can play in restoring economic activities destroyed by Russia. They shared the view that they will continue to coordinate on holding the Japan-Ukraine Conference on the promotion of Economic Reconstruction in Japan early next year, which Prime Minister Shmyhal is scheduled to attend.
- Representatives of participating companies, including Mr. Hiroshi MIKITANI, CEO of Rakuten Group, Inc., Mr. Teppei SAKANO, CEO of Allm Inc. who accompanied Minister Hayashi on this courtesy call gave presentations on the roles each company can play in recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. Prime Minister Shmyhal stated that the efforts of each company are in line with Ukraine's needs and that he would like to continue to cooperate with them.