Japan’s PM announces his visit to Ukraine and new G7 sanctions

Japan is working on a proposal for a new G7 sanctions package against the aggressor state of russia, says Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida

Japantimes reports that the statement comes ahead of an online conference with other G7 leaders and President Volodymyr Zelensky that Japan will chair later today. The country will host a G7 summit in Kishida's Hiroshima constituency in May.

Kisida said he hopes to visit Ukraine as soon as possible, as he is the only G7 leader who has not been to Kyiv since the full-scale invasion began.

"February 24 is a day we will never forget," Kishida told a news conference. "It is a day that must not be forgotten."

In addition, the Japanese prime minister said that his country would soon present new options for sanctions for discussion during the G7 online conference. He also noted that China might send military aid to moscow,citingg a recent G7 foreign ministerial statement that called on third parties to suspend their support for russian forces.

"I believe it is important to send a clear message to the international community in close cooperation with the G7 and other countries concerned," he said. "Japan must also continue to send out messages regarding the response by third countries."

The mass media reported that the G7 ministers agreed on further support for Ukraine during the meeting, accelerating the supply of weapons and introducing new sanctions against russia.

Although Zelensky sent a video message to parliament last March, the two leaders have never met in person. But serious logistical and security hurdles remain before any visit by Kishida can be implemented.

Earlier, Japan announced it would provide additional financial assistance to Ukraine of $95 million to restore infrastructure in the country.

On Monday, Kishida announced a pledge to send an additional $5.5 billion to Ukraine, bringing Japan's total aid to $7 billion.

Since russia's started its war, Japan has acted with other G7 countries, firmly condemning russia aggression, imposing arduous sanctions on russia, and accepting an unusually high number of refugees fleeing the war.