Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio delivering a keynote speech at theJapan-Ukraine Conference for the Promotion of Economic Growth andReconstruction. He stated that support for Ukraine is “investing in thefuture” of the country, Japan, and the whole world.

:INVESTINGINTHE
FUTURE
JAPAN’S UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION TO UKRAINEFEBRUARY 19, 2024
Full Text: https://japan.kantei.go.jp/101_kishida/actions/202402/19ukraine_kaigi.html

On February 19, 2024, the Leaders’ Session of the Japan-Ukraine Conference for the Promotion of EconomicGrowth and Reconstruction was held in Tokyo, at which Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio delivered thefollowing keynote speech. At the end of the meeting, a total of 56 signed cooperation documents were unveiledin the presence of both countries’ prime ministers. In addition, a joint communique, coordinated between thegovernments of Japan and Ukraine, was released as an outcome document of the conference.
Prime Minister Shmyhal, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Firstly, let me express my utmost respect again for thecourage and perseverance of the Ukrainian people, whohave been standing up in defense for the freedom andindependence of their country for two years since theoutbreak of Russian aggression. As the G7 Chair lastyear, Japan led international discussions on supporting
Ukraine and has provided robust package, including
financial assistance. Japan has stood with Ukraine and willcontinue to do so.
The origin of today’s Conference dates back to my own
visit to Ukraine March 2023. I visited Ukraine as G7Chair. In my meeting in Kyiv with President Zelenskyy,
he outlined his strong expectations for Japan’s experience,
its technology and private investment by our country forthe long term reconstruction of Ukraine.
Following the visit, I decided to hold this JapanUkraine Conference for the Promotion of Economic
Growth and Reconstruction with a conviction that Japan

has much potential to make what I call “Japan’s uniquecontribution.”
President Zelenskyy once stated, “Your money is
not charity. It’s an investment in global security anddemocracy.” I would like to make one additional statement.
That is “investing in the future.” The war in Ukraine is stillgoing on at this very moment and the situation is not easy.
The promotion of economic reconstruction, however, isnot only investment for the future of Ukraine but also
investing in Japan and the whole globe. We must strive forthe future of all of us. Japan, through both the public andprivate sectors, will provide robust support for economic
reconstruction and industrial enhancement that willlead to the economic growth of Ukraine, a country withsignificant potential. It is our aim to support Ukraine sothat the country can achieve comprehensive economic
development from the primary to tertiary sectors,
including in such key areas as agriculture, manufacturing,and the IT industry.

With these themes in mind today, I would like to sharewith the Ukrainian people “3 Principles,” “5 Actions,”“50 Commitments” for the purpose of realizing “Japan’sunique contribution.”
To start with, there are three important principles forpromoting “Japan’s unique contribution.”
The first of the 3 Principles is “inclusiveness.”
With an emphasis on “human dignity,” we will stayright beside with all the Ukrainian people, including
women and children, and from a “Women, Peace andSecurity” or WPS perspective we will support Ukraine’s
self-sustaining development and reconstruction for thelong term.
The second is “partnership.”The main actors in realizing Ukraine’s reconstruction
must be the people of Ukraine. The very key to promoting
the long-term reconstruction of Ukraine in a sustainable
manner is to work together with the Ukrainian people,
rather than providing unilateral support from Japan.
Japan will faithfully address the needs of the Ukrainianside and respond to those needs attentively.
The third is “knowledge and technology.”
Japan’s public and private sectors will all work together
through an all-Japan approach, utilizing the knowledgederived from Japan’s postwar and disaster reconstruction
efforts, as well as advanced technology and knowhow
from the private sector. Of course, the door is open toparticipation not only by major companies but also by
small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with highend technologies.
In addition to these 3 Principles, we will take thefollowing five actions to promote Japanese private
investment and create employment in Ukraine. I would
like to announce those as important deliverable of today’sconference.
First, we will conclude the new Tax Convention as partof the development of a legal infrastructure. We will alsocommence negotiations for a review of the Investment
Agreement.
Second, to boost Ukraine’s reconstruction, wewill support Ukraine through international financial
institutions by contributing to by the European Bankfor Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)’s capitalincrease and by providing a two-step loan through theBlack Sea Trade and Development Bank by JBIC.
Third, as a form of bilateral cooperation we will
The above text was republished from the websiteof the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan:
https://japan.kantei.go.jp/101_kishida/actions/202402/19ukraine_kaigi.html

implement public-private partnership projects throughODA and JICA’s Private Sector Investment Finance for
Ukrainian venture capitalists.
Fourth, we will establish a JETRO office in Kyiv toexpand business ties, investment and trade between thetwo countries. In addition, NEXI will establish new credit
lines to reduce investment and trade risks for Japanesecompanies.
Fifth, we will also introduce measures to relax the multi
entry visa requirements for Ukrainian people involved inJapan-Ukraine cooperation projects.
Specific commitments based on the 3 Principles andthe 5 Actions are reflected in the over 50 cooperation
outcome documents between Japanese companies,
including startups, and their Ukrainian partners.
Japan will steadily follow up on these measures anditems. Japan will continue to do our very best to support
Ukraine’s economic development at various phases
ranging from initial emergency assistance and the dayto-day livelihood reconstruction of to more robust stagesof industrial reconstruction and enhancement. We will
also assist Ukraine in its efforts in day-to-day rebuildingof people’s lives and in creating new industries throughvarious measures of ours to build economic foundationsof the country, which will help make its recovery/
reconstruction processes more sustainable and, ultimately,
make its whole economy more strong.
The reconstruction of Ukraine will not be achieved
overnight. The solidarity of the international community
in this line of effort also needs to be strengthened. We will
work with our partners and international organizations,and closely coordinate with the G7 and other countries.
We will make our measures and efforts closely in line withvarious developments in the international discussion,
including an international Ukraine Recovery Conference
to be hosted by Germany in coming June.
It is the very interest of Japan and the international
community as a whole that, overcoming the scars ofRussia’s aggression, Ukraine realizes its reconstruction andregain its vitality. We sincerely ask for your cooperation of
all the participants gathering here for today’s Conference.
Thank you.
Prime Minister Kishidaholding a meeting with
Ukrainian Prime Minister
Denys Shmyhal. He statedthat Japan will continue tostand with Ukraine until peace
returns to that beautiful land.