Japan, Ukraine sign reconstruction cooperation agreement

Japan and Ukraine have signed a memorandum of cooperation to reconstruct damaged areas in war-hit Ukraine.

Japan's Reconstruction Minister Watanabe Hiromichi and Ukraine's infrastructure development minister, Oleksandr Kubrakov, who also serves as deputy prime minister, signed the document in Tokyo on June 19, according to the website of the Japanese national broadcaster NHK World.

Under the memorandum, Japan will share measures and knowledge to help rebuild Ukraine in a sustainable way by using the lessons learned from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

The document also states that the two countries will expand cooperation among relevant public and private organizations. Specifically, Japan and Ukraine will exchange information to draw up a reconstruction plan, jointly hold seminars and symposiums, and set up points of contact to check progress.

Kubrakov said the war will not last indefinitely, and that Ukraine's damaged infrastructure, houses and economy will need to be rebuilt and revived, and described Japan's rebuilding know-how as unique and extremely important.

For his turn, Watanabe said enabling evacuees to return to their homes and rebuilding communities will also be essential for Ukraine's reconstruction, and expressed hope that dialogue based on the memorandum will bring about many positive outcomes.