Japan's top diplomat vows to 'ensure everyone in Ukraine lives free from threat of landmines'

​​​​​​​ISTANBUL

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi pledged Wednesday to "ensure everyone in Ukraine lives free from threat of landmines," in an address to the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC 2025) in Tokyo.

Motegi stated that landmines continue to "endanger civilian lives and hinder recovery and reconstruction for years to come, casting a dark shadow over the country’s future," according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

Japan has been "steadfastly supporting Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction through public–private partnerships," he said.

Motegi was appointed foreign minister on Tuesday by new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Through a new support package, "Ukraine Mine Action Support Initiative," Japan will implement "various essential supports for the reconstruction process, such as human capacity and capability building support, socio-economic revitalization, and medical and welfare support."

Motegi announced that Japan, Ukraine and Colombia will soon sign a Memorandum of Cooperation on mine action.

"Everyone in Ukraine live free from the threat of landmines in the just and lasting peace. Japan will spare no effort in achieving this goal," Motegi stated.

Ukrainian Economy, Environment and Agriculture Minister Oleksii Sobolev, Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman; Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys and Sweden's Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin were in attendance.

"Since 2022, Japan has provided Ukraine $8.7 billion of budget assistance, including $955 million in grants. External financing remains necessary to maintain stability in the country in 2026 and beyond," Ukrainian Deputy Finance Minister Olga Zykova said earlier this month, according to the ministry on US social media company Facebook.