Press Releases
Courtesy call on Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs TAKAGI Kei by a delegation of Ukrainian Government Customs
On May 31, commencing at 3:30 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. TAKAGI Kei, Parliamentary Vice Minister, received a courtesy call by a delegation of Ukrainian Government Customs who were visiting Japan to participate in a training program funded by Japan to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- Parliamentary Vice Minister Takagi expressed his sincere respect for the courage and perseverance of the Ukrainian people who are united to fight against Russia’s aggression and rise up for the restoration of peace in Ukraine. He also stated his hope that Japan's knowledge in the field of border management gained through this training program will be useful for the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.
- In response, the delegation of Ukrainian Customs expressed their gratitude for the assistance Japan has provided for Ukraine to date, and that their participation in this training program was very beneficial. They further expressed their desire to put what they have learned during the training to practical use upon return, and further strengthen friendly relations between Japan and Ukraine.
As part of UNODC’s project supported by Japan’s supplementary budget of FY2022, from May 30 to June 2, customs training was conducted in Japan for Ukrainian Customs officials and others with the aim of facilitating the smooth import of reconstruction equipment and humanitarian supplies at the Ukrainian border and strengthening measures against illegal trafficking of arms and other items. The training program will include guidance on Japan's customs system, risk management, staff training, etc.
UNODC was established in 1997 as a result of the merging of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme and the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme. Headquartered in Vienna, UNODC carries out research and analyses on illegal drugs and crime, helps countries with concluding and implementing conventions related to crime and narcotic drugs and with their development of domestic legislations, and provides technical cooperation for capacity building in countering organized crime and terrorism.