Japan to encourage companies to open business in Ukraine

This is reported by Kyodo, citing sources in the Japanese government.

The conference in Tokyo will take place amid growing concern that Western support for Ukraine's defence may decline as the second anniversary of Russia's invasion approaches.

At the meeting, Japan will seek to demonstrate its commitment to supporting Kyiv through public-private cooperation in energy, agriculture and infrastructure, as military aid is limited by the country's constitution, which renounces war.

At the conference, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will outline Tokyo's plans to help rebuild Ukraine.

One of the steps the Japanese government is considering to encourage companies to do business in Ukraine is to ease travel restrictions and allow some businessmen to visit the country. 

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to deliver a video address at the conference, and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is expected to attend in person to present Ukraine's needs.

According to the sources, ambassadors to Japan from other developed G7 countries and Poland, which is Ukraine's neighbour and supports Kyiv, are also planning to attend the meeting.

• On January 12, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa agreed to increase sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.