The governments of Japan and Ukraine are working on a common statement of cooperation which will underlie the future mutual relations and is to be signed during President Petro Poroshenko and Maryna Poroshenko’s visit to Japan on April 5-7. At a briefing for the press Shigeki Sumi, Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine, explained that this agreement will cover cooperation in all spheres including security.
The ambassador told that Poroshenko’s visit would start with a trip to Kyoto, Kyiv’s sister city. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the two cities’ relations. From Kyoto the president will travel to Tokyo by the world’s fastest train. Once in the capital, he will meet with the prime minister, the speaker of the parliament, emperor and empress, and will take part in a business forum.
Ambassador Sumi also informed the journalists that during the visit Japan is going to confirm its principled position on Crimea and Russia’s aggression in the east of Ukraine. “Japan will never accept the annexation of Crimea and the destabilization of the situation in Ukraine’s east and, in its turn, will clarify its stand on the problems in the East China Sea and its territorial issues with Russia,” remarked the ambassador.
According to him, Japan will keep assisting Ukraine in the implementation of reforms and is prepared to help combat corruption. Tokyo is closely following the changes of the business climate in Ukraine, as well as its anti-corruption efforts.
The ambassador went on to say that after Maidan two Japanese companies entered the Ukrainian market, Sumitomo Electric Industries and Fujikura. They brought investments with them and started operations early this year. Everything depends on business climate, and Ukraine’s image is noticeably improving in the eyes of Japanese investors. Japanese business is likely to be attracted to Ukraine if the government’s actual efforts to overcome corruption give tangible results.
Commenting the recent developments in our country, including the dismissal of the prosecutor general and the formation of the new coalition, the ambassador remarked: “Japan believes that Ukraine is on the right path. We would like to see a speedier implementation of reforms, and we will support your country. The Japanese elites share this attitude.”
Mr. Shigeki told that the Japanese government is preparing to implement a unique youth project: a cruise for representatives of 11 countries who, accompanied by 100 Japanese, will spend one week visiting Japan, and three more weeks on a trip to Fiji and New Zealand. This event is scheduled for the beginning of the next year. Japan invites 12 English-speaking Ukrainians under 40 to take part in the project. The Embassy of Japan and the Ministry for Youth and Sport will select the candidates in Kyiv.
