Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Today, I visited Ukraine, a country which has been very much in my thoughts since before taking office as Foreign Minister. As I have already held a joint press announcement following my meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Kuleba, here I will discuss what I did not mention earlier, namely, my courtesy calls on President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Shmyhal.

During my courtesy call on President Zelenskyy, the President expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by Japan as last year’s G7 Presidency, as well as for the efforts made by Japan for the Peace Formula being implemented by Ukraine. In particular, the President reiterated his gratitude to Prime Minister Kishida. I conveyed that Japan has decided to co-chair the working group on radiation and nuclear safety, the first item of the Peace Formula. While using this as an impetus, Japan intends to further bolster its contribution to the realization of a just and lasting peace by the Ukrainian side.

In addition, during my courtesy call on Prime Minister Shmyhal, I conveyed that I will work to ensure the signing of more than ten memorandums of cooperation involving the private sector at the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Reconstruction on February 19, aiming for a successful conference. Private sector involvement is essential for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Japan is committed to providing further support for Ukraine in the area of reconstruction assistance through close public-private partnership.

Building on the outcomes of this visit to Ukraine, I am determined to further strengthen Japan-Ukraine collaboration and continue to pursue diplomacy that supports Ukraine. Today, I met with the President, Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister. Both President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Shmyhal extended their sympathies for the damage caused by the recent Noto Peninsula Earthquake. I conveyed that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Kishida, the Government of Japan is doing everything it can to overcome this disaster. That is all from me.

Reporter: I would like to ask about the significance of your visit to Ukraine. “Aid fatigue” has been noted in Western countries. Coupled with the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine, interest in Ukraine is said to be declining relatively. Against this backdrop, what is the significance of your visit? In addition, it was explained that your meeting with President Zelenskyy lasted around one hour. Could you tell us what President Zelenskyy requested?

Minister Kamikawa: I have been deeply saddened by the situation in Ukraine even before I assumed the office as Foreign Minister, and I have wanted to visit Ukraine as early as possible after taking office. Today, I was able to do so. I visited the Church of St. Andrew the First-Called in Bucha and the bridge over Irpin River, commonly known as the “Road of Life.” I witnessed with my eyes the fresh scars of the aggression and saw firsthand the immense challenges faced by the people in Ukraine. They convinced me that unilateral changes to the status quo by force cannot be accepted, and that we must fully protect women and children who are particularly vulnerable in war and ensure “human dignity.” Aid fatigue is being noted around the world, and international interest in Ukraine is said to have decreased. By visiting Kyiv, I was able to directly convey to the Ukrainian side and send out a strong message to the international community that Japan’s basic stance remains steadfast: we will continue to support the realization of a just and lasting peace while standing with Ukraine. This was one of the significances.

Secondly, it was extremely significant that I was able to explain the details of Japan’s assistance plans and direction of cooperation for reconstruction and recovery.

President Zelenskyy reiterated his gratitude for the contribution made by Japan as last year’s G7 Presidency and for the support Japan has provided so far. He then expressed his expectations for public-private efforts ahead of the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Reconstruction in February, along with his expectations for Japan’s further cooperation including calling on other countries concerned to support the Peace Formula.

Reporter: I would like to ask again about the significance of your visit to Ukraine, where hostilities are ongoing. In addition, how do you intend to draw on the outcomes of today’s visit in terms of the Conference for Promotion of Economic Reconstruction in February? Furthermore, with “aid fatigue” being noted in Western countries and other regions, how does Japan, a G7 member, intend to sustain the international community’s support for Ukraine?

Minister Kamikawa: My answer to your question about the significance of this visit overlaps with my answer to the previous question, so I will not repeat the details. With regard to the latter question, in particular, it was very meaningful that this visit provided an opportunity to exchange views directly with Prime Minister Shmyhal, who will be attending the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Reconstruction in February of this year, on how to finalize the preparations for the conference. Private sector involvement is essential for the reconstruction of Ukraine, and I conveyed that I will work toward the signing of more than ten memorandums of cooperation involving the private sector. We hope that hosting this conference will send out a strong message domestically and internationally that Japan is committed to engaging in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine through close public-private partnership, which in turn will encourage international efforts for supporting reconstruction in Ukraine.

In addition, since last year as the G7 Presidency, Japan has consistently advocated that the current severe international situation requires the G7 and other like-minded countries to demonstrate unity by continuing to provide strong support for Ukraine. In the European and North American countries I will be visiting during the remainder of my first overseas visit of this year, I intend to underscore this point based on the strong impressions that were formed by actually visiting Ukraine.

Reporter: During your visit, you announced Japan’s contribution of approximately USD 37 million to a NATO trust fund for building counter-unmanned aircraft (drone) detection systems. In addition, you said Japan has decided to co-chair a working group on radiation and nuclear power, which is the first item of the Peace Formula advocated by President Zelenskyy. Could you please elaborate on their respective objectives?

Minister Kamikawa: Through this visit, I saw with my own eyes the fresh scars of Russia’s aggression and was shocked by the devastation. Unilateral changes to the status quo by force cannot be accepted, and the visit has renewed my determination to uphold the international order based on the rule of law. Japan intends to support and contribute to the efforts for realizing a just and lasting peace by Ukraine.

From this perspective, the Government of Japan has decided to provide counter-unmanned aircraft detection systems through a NATO trust fund. After carefully taking into account the needs of the Ukrainian side in the current situation, we believe this is support that Japan can provide.

Furthermore, with regard to the Peace Formula proposed by President Zelenskyy, Japan has decided to co-chair the working group on radiation and nuclear safety, which is the first item of the Peace Formula, in order to contribute tangibly and proactively toward the realization of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as quickly as possible. I directly conveyed these points to President Zelenskyy and the President expressed his deep appreciation.

Reporter: Last December, the European Union (EU) agreed to open accession negotiations with Ukraine. While it is Ukraine’s sincere wish to join the EU, Russia has been stepping up its opposition to Ukraine’s accession. I believe this matter also concerns Russia’s aggression and the reconstruction of Ukraine. Please share with us your view and Japan’s view on this development.

Minister Kamikawa: A European Council meeting was held last December. We are aware that the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, which has long wished for EU accession. I believe how the EU and the countries seeking membership proceed with the accession process is something that will be decided by the EU, current member countries, and the subject countries based on various circumstances.

As I have repeatedly emphasized during this visit, Japan views that support for Ukraine must be continued with a strong commitment amid the current severe international situation. Ukraine’s strong wish for EU accession is as you stated, and Japan expects that the accession negotiation process between the EU and Ukraine will proceed smoothly.