Video Message by Prime Minister Kishida at Japan-Ukraine Public-Private Roundtable

[Provisional translation]

I am Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan. I am delighted to welcome this Japan-Ukraine Public-Private Roundtable, bringing companies together from both Japan and Ukraine following our Conference in Tokyo in February.
 
I would like to pay my sincere respects to the Ukrainian people for their courage and perseverance in the struggle to defend their freedom and independence in the face of the intense ongoing Russian aggression. Japan continues to support Ukraine through cooperation between the public and private sectors. Japan will do its utmost to ensure that peace is to be restored to the beautiful land of Ukraine, and to take solid steps towards its reconstruction.
 
The message I would like to share today is that the main actors in Ukraine's reconstruction are the companies from both countries like those present at this roundtable. Among the 56 signed cases presented at the Japan-Ukraine Conference for the Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction back in February, 35 were from the private sector, which Prime Minister Shmyhal described as a “remarkable achievement.”
 
Such support is “an investment for the future,” meaning not just for Ukraine, but also for Japan and the world. Our expectations are high for the strong desire of companies to contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine and turn this into a great opportunity for themselves. We strongly support the companies facing challenges and risks which are not normally associated with their business.
 
The new cooperation projects being presented today are the fruit of the strong aspirations of enterprises of both nations. Japan will support you based on the Three Principles of inclusiveness, partnership, and knowledge/technology, together with the Five Actions, including the establishment of a JETRO Kyiv office, that we committed ourselves to in February. Additionally, Japan contributes to a stable energy supply, which is the foundation of people's lives and business activities, providing new equipment in response to the recent energy crisis in Ukraine.
 
We wish for the harmony and success of both governments and the companies joining us here today. Japan has been and will continue to be with Ukraine. Thank you very much.