ISTANBUL

Japan has announced $3.8 million in new aid to help Ukraine repair cultural assets damaged during the war with Russia, NHK reported Wednesday.

The announcement was made at a ceremony in Kyiv on Tuesday attended by Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine Nakagome Masashi, Ukrainian officials and representatives of UNESCO.

Tokyo will provide the funding to UNESCO to support restoration work at damaged cultural sites.

According to UNESCO, more than 500 cultural sites in Ukraine have been verified as damaged, including buildings of historical and artistic significance.

UNESCO said the new funding will strengthen efforts to verify damage to cultural heritage sites using satellite imagery and other inspection methods.

“This will allow for rapid emergency measures to stabilize and repair damaged cultural sites and help prevent further deterioration,” the UN agency said.

UNESCO said Japan’s contribution accounts for nearly 40% of the total funding the agency has secured for Ukraine.