Japan foreign minister makes unannounced visit to Ukraine

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa made an unannounced visit on Sunday to Ukraine, where she will hold talks with government officials including her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba to vow continued support for Ukraine.

Japan’s Kyodo News quoted the Japanese Foreign Ministry as saying in a statement that Kamikawa will reiterate Japan’s support for Ukraine.

Her visit comes ahead of a conference the country will host in Tokyo on Feb. 19 aimed at discussing the reconstruction of Ukraine, which has suffered widespread destruction since Russia invaded in February 2022.

Kamikawa, who arrived in Ukraine by train from Poland, is expected to reiterate that Japan’s support for Ukraine “remains unchanged,” and convey as well its commitment to the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine through the conference, the ministry said.

During her visit, she will stress the importance of upholding the international order based on the rule of law from the standpoint of not tolerating any attempts to change the status quo by force, according to the ministry.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made a surprise trip to Ukraine in March, while Kamikawa’s predecessor, Yoshimasa Hayashi, visited the country in September. (QNA)