Ukraine PM seeks reconstruction help in Japan

Japan last year relaxed export controls on finished goods, allowing it to help fill gaps in defence equipment among Ukraine’s main suppliers of weapons such as the United States.

Tokyo has also provided to Ukraine what it calls “non-lethal support” such as aircraft detecting systems and mobile power generators.

Last week the World Bank, European Union, United Nations in a joint report estimated Ukraine’s reconstruction costs at US$486 billion over the next decade, including US$15 billion in 2024 alone.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday “reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and its people in defending its freedom and independence and restoring territorial integrity,” according to a joint statement.

He also reiterated a commitment to provide “the necessary long-term assistance to ensure the stability of Ukraine’s economy”, the statement said.

The two sides signed a number of agreements including on infrastructure rebuilding, demining, agriculture, and governance enhancement.

Japan also agreed to relax visa rules for visiting Ukrainian businesspeople.

The conference comes after Russian forces recaptured the eastern Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka and as $60 billion in US military aid remains stalled in Congress.