Japan-Ukraine Relations
Foreign Minister Hayashi's Attendance at the Ukraine Recovery Conference
June 21, 2023
On June 21, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting the United Kingdom, attended the "Ukraine Recovery Conference" co-hosted by the governments of the United Kingdom and Ukraine.
- The conference was held in London and co-hosted by the United Kingdom and Ukraine to discuss the international community’s support and efforts for the recovery of Ukraine to alleviate the suffering caused by Russia’s aggression.
- Attendees include The Rt Hon Rishi SUNAK MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; H.E. Mr. Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine (online participation); and representatives from more than 60 countries, 30 international organizations, 400 private companies, civil society, etc. Discussions were held on the participation of the private sector in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine and for implementing the necessary reforms to achieve them.
- Minister Hayashi attended the conference as a representative of Japan and delivered a speech (PDF)
at the plenary session. He stated that Japan, the only country that has ever suffered from atomic bombings during wartime, has achieved a miraculous development from the devastation after the war. Japan has also experienced a series of serious natural disasters, including the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995 and the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. Each time, however, the country has achieved remarkable recovery and reconstruction with the support of friends in the international community. Japan, therefore, has experience and knowledge of recovery and reconstruction gained through overcoming such difficulties.
In addition, in order to gain further involvement of the private sector, Japan has recently established the Council on Preparation for Promotion of Ukraine’s Economic Reconstruction with the participation of all the relevant ministries and agencies. Japan intends to make use of its knowledge accumulated in the field of recovery and reconstruction, and to vigorously implement a uniquely Japanese form of reconstruction assistance in close contact with the Ukrainian people.
Furthermore, Minister Hayashi announced that the Japan-Ukraine Conference for promotion of Economic Reconstruction will be held in Tokyo at an appropriate timing from the end of this year to the beginning of next year, so that the Japanese public and private sectors can strongly support the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.
Minister Hayashi also announced that Japan will provide 5 million US dollars in emergency humanitarian assistance for food, water, sanitation, health, etc. to those affected by the floods from the recent dam collapse at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, and will implement the equipment provision through JICA and emergency humanitarian assistance through NGOs. - In addition, Minister Hayashi exchanged opinions with Japanese business representatives who attended the meeting on the initiatives of their companies. On the 22nd, with the participation of about 40 Japanese companies, a Ukraine-Japan Public-Private Roundtable co-hosted by METI, MOFA and JETRO will be held to exchange views on the investment environment in Ukraine and the business activities and interests of Japanese and Ukrainian companies.