Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) in Kyiv on November 16 (© Ministry of Foreign Affairs via Kyodo News)
The Japanese government is trying to prevent people in Ukraine from falling victim to freezing conditions. So far in 2024, Japan has donated around one hundred heavy-duty power generators. These provide essential heating as Russian drones and rockets strike Ukraine's energy grid.
Russia's attacks on critical infrastructure have been strongly condemned by Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybiha. He has described them as assaults on sleeping civilians in peaceful cities.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared: "Russian terrorists once again want to scare us with cold and lack of light."
Since the start of the crisis, Japan's humanitarian contributions to Ukraine have exceeded $12 billion USD. Japan also offers strong support for Ukraine at international conferences. One such gathering of foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) countries was held in Fiuggi and Anagni, Italy, on November 25-26.
Addressing the event, Andrii Sybiha said:
"Supporting Ukraine is not a charity, but the best investment in the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic community and the world. With timely and sufficient support, we can overcome aggression and achieve a comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace based on the formula for peace."
Experience in Kiev
Japan's foreign minister, Takeshi Iwaya, played a leading role at the Italian conference. He recently visited the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, where he met Foreign Minister Sybiha and President Zelenskyy.
Mr Iwaya said that that trip has strengthened his view of global affairs. He said: "[Any] unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force is unacceptable anywhere in the world."
Japan's foreign minister reassured his G7 counterparts of Japan's steadfast commitment to Ukraine. This was a key foreign policy objective of Japan's previous leader, Fumio Kishida. Mr Iwaya said this would continue to be a flagship policy under the leadership of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
European Support
Mr Iwaya used the event in Italy to enhance security arrangements with several European countries.
France and Japan agreed to establish an anti-terrorism dialogue. This will include a major conference in Tokyo in the spring of 2025.
Elsewhere, Mr Iwaya and the Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto reached a deal for the reciprocal provision of supplies between the Japanese Self-Defense Force and the Italian army.
Foreign Minister Iwaya also met separately with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Italy. They concurred that continuing to impose severe sanctions against Russia is essential.
A joint statement from all the G7 foreign ministers including Japan was issued on Tuesday evening. It stated:
"We vehemently condemn the brutal attacks against Ukraine's cities and critical civilian infrastructure and its unacceptable toll on the civilian population. Russia's use of an intermediate-range ballistic missile on November 21st is further evidence of its reckless and escalatory behavior. Our support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence will remain unwavering."
North Korean Threat
During the discussions in Italy, Minister Iwaya expressed alarm about the deployment of North Korean troops to Ukraine.
Similar concerns were voiced by South Korea's foreign minister, Cho Tae-yul. Although South Korea is not a G7 member, its representatives are often invited to attend G7 events.
Mr Cho recently spelled out the dangers of an escalation of war in a speech he delivered to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He said that North Korea has provided Russia with huge quantities of missiles and ammunition.
It is deplorable that Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council ― and one of the founding states of the non-proliferation regime ― is engaging in an illegal arms trade with North Korea, said Mr Cho.
He also warned that North Korea poses threats to peace and security on the Korean peninsula and beyond. Pyongyang is engaging in the ongoing development of its nuclear and missile capabilities. This, he emphasized, is shown by the recent disclosure of uranium enrichment facilities in North Korea.
When ministers Cho and Iwaya met briefly during the G7 gathering in Italy, they also discussed recent setbacks in relations. Together they agreed to keep the momentum moving forward for bilateral cooperation between South Korea and Japan.
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Author: Duncan Bartlett, Diplomatic Correspondent
Mr Bartlett is the Diplomatic Correspondent for JAPAN Forward and a Research Associate at the SOAS China Institute. Read his other articles and essays.
