Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya Pays Unannounced Visit to Ukraine

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya made an unannounced visit to Ukraine on November 15.

According to Japan’s Kyodo News, Iwaya traveled to Ukraine following his participation in a regional economic meeting in Peru.

Arriving by train from Poland, the minister is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on November 16. Discussions with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are also reportedly under consideration.

Japanese officials have emphasized that this visit aims to reaffirm Tokyo’s support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression, particularly as recent reports suggest the involvement of North Korean troops supporting Russia’s operations.

This marks the first visit to Ukraine by a Japanese foreign minister since Shigeru Ishiba assumed office as Japan’s prime minister in October 2024, succeeding Fumio Kishida.

Kishida had visited Kyiv in March 2023, while the last trip by a Japanese foreign minister occurred in January 2024, when then-Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa met with President Zelenskyy as part of Japan’s ongoing diplomatic engagement.

Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Japan has actively supported Ukraine through sanctions on Russia, including asset freezes and export restrictions.