Japan to allocate $4.5 billion in aid to Ukraine

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that Japan was ready to provide additional funding to support Ukraine.

The new package will amount to around $4.5 billion, Rubryka reports, citing Kyodo News.

This funding will be directed toward the country's recovery after the invasion by Russian forces. The decision was made following a meeting of G7 leaders in Tokyo.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shared this decision during the summit: "Tokyo is prepared to allocate around $4.5 billion in additional funds to aid war-torn Ukraine in its rebuilding efforts."

Leaders of G7, which comprises the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, and the European Union, also released a joint statement, indicating their commitment to supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's peace initiative called the " Ukraine Peace Formula."

The G7 statement reads, "We are determined to support an independent, democratic Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders."

Rubryka also reported that Zelensky joined the G7 online summit and stated that Russia hoped to see the collapse of the civilized world's consolidation against dictatorship in 2024 and that maintaining unity was vital for the security and restoration of stability.

Japan's assistance

According to Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, several projects initiated or funded by Japan to support Ukraine have been implemented or are in the process.

Ukraine's State Emergency Service received 12 operational pyrotechnic vehicles purchased by UNICEF with support from the Japanese government and 30 trucks as part of the "Project for the Development of Humanitarian Demining and Disposal of Explosive Objects."

From 2022 to 2023, with support from the Japanese government, the United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine implemented a project for international technical assistance in humanitarian demining. The State Emergency Service received vehicles, equipment, and gear for sapper groups as part of this project.

Projects that are underway include "Improving Equipment for Humanitarian Demining," which is scheduled to be completed by 2025. These projects are being implemented under a Grant Agreement for the Emergency Restoration Program between the Ukrainian government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Japan also plans to allocate €160 million to support Ukraine's economic recovery.

Japan and Ukraine initiated the first round of security guarantee negotiations in October. The President's Office stated that Japan became the fourth country after the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, with which Ukraine began joint negotiations.