2017 is the Year of Japan in Ukraine

On April 5, during their visit to Japan, Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko and his wife, Maryna Poroshenko, visited Kyoto, Kyiv’s sister city. At a meeting with Keiji Yamada, Governor of Kyoto Prefecture, Mayor of Kyoto Daisaku Kadokawa, and Chairman of the Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry Yoshio Tateishi, he announced the next year as the Year of Japan in Ukraine.

The president also stressed that this year marks the 25th anniversary of Japan’s recognition of Ukraine’s independence and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Moreover, 45 years ago, “our states’ spiritual capitals, Kyiv and Kyoto, started their history of friendship and exchange.”

The Day asked its expert to comment on the importance of holding a Year of Japan in Ukraine.

Hanna HOPKO, chairperson, Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Affairs:

“Japan is one of Ukraine’s strategic partners both in G7 and the UN Security Council, where we share temporary membership in 2016-17. Japan has invested more than three billion dollars in Ukraine, including low cost loans and grants. The Bortnychi Aeration Station could be mentioned as another example of cooperation. Now they are considering participation with a view to solving various environmental problems. Financial support in terms of the Kyoto protocol is another aspect.

“Japan is a country of quality, free from GMO, where each investment is based on responsibility and accountability to the investor. Japan being the world’s third largest economy, which could bring innovation here, is important to us. Its economy relies on innovation, knowledge, and technology. It is particularly important for us to choose an investor willing to invest in the quality and development of the state, and not just looking for mega profits.

“The Japanese are prepared to invest in Ukraine’s agricultural sector. We share common dramas like Chornobyl and Fukushima, and we both have expertise and methods to cope with the aftermath of such disasters.

“Also, Japan is a country where the cult of cleanness and mutual respect between citizens and government reigns. It has a real middle class and a very patriotic population: young Japanese begin to tour other Japanese cities and islands when still at school. Love of their fatherland is engrafted at a very early age.

“Japan is renowned for its research and development. It is crucial that we can cooperate in the sphere of science and get Japanese support.

“We must not forget the cooperation in health care. When we say that we have a couple of unfinished facilities, like the new Okhmatdyt building or perinatal care centers, we can receive Japanese equipment for diagnosing and treatment directly, without mediators, and thus cheaper.”

Yurii KUSHNARIOV, director, Ukraine-Japan Center at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute:

“The initiative to hold a Year of Japan in Ukraine in 2017, under the auspices of President Poroshenko and Maryna Poroshenko, is backed by the Japanese. It will further the deeper program of cultural exchanges, dedicated to the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ukraine (and this is where the Ukraine-Japan Center at the Kyiv Polytechnic will be playing a key part). Moreover, it will promote the funding of the already launched projects (the Kyiv metro, Bortnychi, energy conservation efforts, etc., and spur the cooperation related to Fukushima and Chornobyl, as well as to the Tokyo Olympic Games of 2020 (in the framework of the memorandum on cooperation in physical culture and sport between the two countries). It will also intensify the negotiations on liberalizing the visa regime for Ukrainian citizens, with a view to introducing a visa free regime, and also trigger the implementation of several large-scale joint projects on Ukraine’s territory.”