Press Releases
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs SHIMADA Attended the Reception for the Japanese-language Program for Ukrainians
August 18, 2026
On August 17, Mr. SHIMADA Tomoaki, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended the reception hosted by the Japan Foundation at the Tokyo Garden Palace for participants in the Japanese-language program for Ukrainians.
- In his remarks at the reception, Vice-Minister SHIMADA expressed his respect for and solidarity with those who have been engaged in Japanese-language education amid difficult circumstances. He also noted that throughout Japan, there are many friends of Ukraine who support the people of the country, learn from one another, and strive to build a shared future together. He further expressed his hope that the people-to-people exchanges and cultural experiences gained through this program would serve as a source of inspiration for the participants’ future activities, and that they would continue to play active roles as bridges of friendship and exchange between Japan and Ukraine even after returning to Ukraine.
- In addition to the 24 Japanese-language teachers and learners from Ukraine invited to Japan from six institutions in Ukraine—five universities with Japanese language majors and the Ukraine-Japan Center— many other guests attended the reception, including members of Parliament, representatives of the embassy of Ukraine in Japan, supporters of Ukraine, university officials, and Ukrainian students studying in Japan