Japan pledges continued Ukraine support as Kyiv proposes joint drone production

ISTANBUL

Japan on Monday vowed to continue its support for Ukraine towards a “just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” as Kyiv proposed joint drone production with Tokyo.

Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya made the remarks during a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha in Tokyo, according to a statement from Japan’s Foreign Ministry.

Iwaya told Sybiha that Japan would “continue to support Ukraine's efforts to realize a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible.”

The two top diplomats had a “candid exchange” of views on the situation on Ukraine and the latest status of global developments, according to the statement.

Tokyo’s reiteration of support comes as Sybiha on Monday said Kyiv is ready to cooperate with Japan in drone technology, proposing the joint production of drones.

"Now we are the leaders in the world in producing drones ... We are ready to share with Japan our experience, and to cooperate in producing, for example, drones" that will be "mutually beneficial," Sybiha told Kyodo News in Tokyo.

He noted that drones for agriculture and intelligence could be considered for such cooperation since Japan’s Constitution does not allow it to export military hardware.

Japan has offered billions of dollars in reconstruction for Ukraine and has imposed sanctions on Russia for its war with Kyiv.

Sybiha is on an official visit to Japan accompanying Olena Zelenska, Ukraine’s first lady.

He took part in a forum focused on Tokyo’s support for rebuilding the war-ravaged nation, during which 29 agreements were signed covering various sectors.

Addressing the Ukrainian-Japanese Forum in Tokyo, Zelenska spoke on the “peaceful Ukrainians whose lives have been destroyed by missiles and drones,” according to her X account.

“I am grateful to the government and people of Japan for their help and partnership. Pain can be turned into development. And we will do it,” she said.