Japan’s Foreign Minister pays unannounced visit to Kyiv

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit overnight on Novevmer 16, signaling Japan’s continued support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.

Iwaya is set to meet Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and may also hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to Japan’s foreign ministry via Kyodo News. This marks the first visit to Kyiv by a Japanese minister since Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba assumed office last month and Iwaya’s first visit to Ukraine since his appointment in September.

The visit is believed to be a response to escalating concerns over the presence of North Korean troops on Ukraine’s eastern front and uncertainties surrounding US military aid under President-elect Donald Trump. It also comes as Ukraine braces for a challenging winter, with Russian forces persistently targeting the nation’s energy infrastructure.
Earlier this year, Zelenskyy and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met in the US on September 23 to discuss Japan’s ongoing assistance, focusing particularly on supporting Ukraine’s energy sector.

Japan has been a key ally of Ukraine since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion. On November 15, Ukraine’s finance ministry reported that Japan has contributed $6.3 billion in external budgetary support to the country.

Additionally, Japan, in collaboration with the US and South Korea, launched a multinational initiative in October to monitor sanctions against North Korea.