United to win: Japan to provide additional funding of over $100 mln to Ukraine

The Japanese government intends to provide Ukraine with an additional ¥15.8 billion ($106 million) to support the country's recovery from the effects of the war in seven areas.

Kyodo News reported this with reference to informed sources.

According to the plan, the transfer of the aid package will be officially announced during the conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine, which will be held in Tokyo on February 19.

The sources said that Japan's ¥15.8 billion in aid will be used to provide demining equipment and temporary bridges.

In total, the funds will be allocated to aid programs in seven areas, in particular:

• expansion of agriculture,
• improvement of the humanitarian situation,
• biotechnology and industrial improvement,
• Information Technology,
• as well as strengthening governance and anti-corruption measures, the sources said.

In addition, the governments of the two countries plan to agree on Japan's participation in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and will sign more than ten memorandums of cooperation at the Japanese-Ukrainian conference. In particular, this will apply to medical care, cyber security, and wind power projects.

An agreement on eliminating double taxation for companies doing business in Ukraine is expected to be signed at the meeting.

It should be noted that Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO, and Takehiro Kano, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Japan to UNESCO, signed a financial agreement on support of Ukraine in the amount of 14.6 million dollars. Thanks to these funds, the Organization will strengthen its activities to support culture, education, and journalism in the country. This agreement confirms Japan's role as UNESCO's main donor for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

For reference:

The first Ukraine Reform Conference took place at the end of April 2023 in the Italian capital, Rome, and was attended by representatives of more than 150 domestic companies.

They met directly with Italian businessmen, discussed the possibilities of cooperation in many areas, and even concluded some contracts.

Also, on June 21-22, the second Ukraine Reform Conference was held in London. Then, during a virtual speech, President Zelensky named five main principles, including unity, stability, development, security, and democracy, will be the basis of the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, which is possible with the help of international support.

The next reconstruction conference will be held in Tokyo (Japan) with the participation of the prime ministers of both countries, which will take place on February 19-20, 2024.

As reported, about 200 Japanese and Ukrainian companies are expected to participate in the conference on restoring Ukraine in the Japanese capital, Tokyo, on February 19-20.