On the brink of the two-year anniversary of Russia's invasion, Japan has initiated a conference to foster discussion on the reconstruction of Ukraine. While the focus of Western countries remains on military aid, Japan is taking a proactive approach towards rebuilding the war-torn nation. The conference, co-organized by the Japanese and Ukrainian governments along with prominent Japanese organizations, is bringing together high-ranking officials and business executives from both countries.
The delegation from Ukraine, led by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, includes government ministers and corporate leaders. On the Japanese side, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, and representatives from Keidanren and JETRO are participating. Additionally, executives from approximately 100 Japanese companies, ranging from startups to industry giants like Kawasaki Heavy Industry and Rakuten Symphony, are also in attendance.
Japan's involvement in the reconstruction of Ukraine stems from several motivations. It seeks to demonstrate international solidarity against aggression, emphasizing that the use of force against other nations will not be tolerated. Additionally, Japan perceives a parallel between the current situation in Ukraine and potential threats to East Asia, where China's military actions have raised concerns.