Titled "Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Reconstruction", the event is planned for February 19. Japan's officials see it as one of measures for promoting launching businesses in Ukraine among Japanese companies, in order to help the war-torn country's reconstruction - the sources said.
Among the other steps being considered, the Japanese government is looking to ease travel restrictions, allowing some business people to visit Ukraine - as reportedly this was one of the biggest stumbling blocks hindering the country's investment in Ukraine. The conference in Tokyo comes amid growing concerns that support for Ukraine's defence from some Western countries may dwindle, as the second anniversary of Moscow's full-scale invasion approaches.
At the meeting, Japan will aim to show its commitment to supporting Kyiv through public-private cooperation in energy, agriculture and infrastructure - as the provision of military assistance by Japan is restricted under its war-renouncing Constitution. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will outline Tokyo's plans to help Ukraine's reconstruction at the conference - Kyodo News informed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to deliver a video message to the participants, while the country's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is scheduled to take part in person, to describe his country's most pressing needs. Ambassadors to Japan from other G7 countries and Poland are also planning to attend the meeting - the sources added.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said in January, when she visited Ukraine, that Japan aims to deliver more than 10 memorandums of cooperation in the public and private sectors with Ukraine at the event.
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Source: Kyodo News, UKRinform