Japan-Ukraine Relations
Message from Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru for the Fifth Summit of the Crimea Platform and Participation by Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi in the summit (Summary)
September 24, 2025
The fifth Crimea Platform Summit was held by the Government of Ukraine, commenced at 1:20 pm local time on 24 September (2:20 am Japan Standard Time on 25 September). Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi, who is visiting New York, USA, to attend the United Nations General Assembly, participated in the meeting on behalf of Japan and read out the message issued by Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru. The summary of the message is as follows.
The meeting was attended by H.E. Mr. Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine, and the heads of the governments and international organizations, as well as all other participants those concerned.
- Japan supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including Crimea. Through today’s meeting, we reaffirm to the international community, the principle that unilateral change of the status quo by force is unacceptable.
- Russia continues its brutal attacks, showing no signs of concrete steps toward peace. Now is the time for us to stand united together to draw a swift and positive response from Russia that leads to a just and lasting peace.
- Japan is determined to actively participate in these discussions and to play an appropriate role in bringing peace to Ukraine.From this viewpoint, Japan is in coordination with the international community to support Ukraine and to put sanctions against Russia.
- To move closer to achieving two goals, which are an early ceasefire and a just and lasting peace, Japan will closely work with all countries present today.
