Japanese PM Fumio Kishida announced on Monday, Feb 19, the state's intention to conclude an agreement with Ukraine on eliminating double taxation. The parties will also start negotiations on revising the investment agreement, allowing Japanese companies to join reconstruction projects in Ukraine.
Kishida announced a new bilateral tax agreement at a meeting with Ukraine's PM Shmyhal
At opening a Japanese-Ukrainian conference on promoting economic growth and reconstruction in Tokyo, Kishida said that helping Kyiv rebuild is "an investment in the future."
He pledged to continue to provide reconstruction support to Ukraine, which has suffered from Russia's large-scale military aggression, using Japan's experience in reconstruction after earthquakes.
Kishida promised support for Japanese business as part of the participation in aid for the Ukrainian side, the source said.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal took part in the event in Tokyo. The official noted that the meeting opened a new page in Japanese-Ukrainian relations.
Shmyhal also hoped that major car manufacturers, particularly Toyota, would create production facilities in Ukraine.
At the reconstruction meeting, Kishida said that Japan would support venture capital companies in Ukraine, promised to ease visa controls and announced that the government agency JETRO would open a new office in Kyiv.
It is noted that at today's conference, about 50 Japanese companies concluded agreements with Ukrainian colleagues in such areas as agriculture, energy and infrastructure. Currently, the total value of such deals is not disclosed.
According to the message of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, as part of efforts to encourage investment by companies and help them do business in Ukraine, Tokyo has relaxed travel restrictions.
In general, the current Ukrainian-Japanese conference in Tokyo is being held with the participation of about 300 state and corporate officials from both countries.
Japan's support for Ukraine
Earlier, it was reported that the Japanese MFA chief, Yoko Kamikawa, announced the country's intention to attract the support of the private sector for the continuation of long-term assistance to Ukraine.
Recently, in February, the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine reported that the state budget received part of the grant funds for $49.4 million from the government of Japan within the framework of the World Bank project "Housing Repair for People's Empowerment Project" (HOPE).
In January, Japan was the only country that granted Ukraine a loan of $387 million.
It also became known in mid-February that the Japanese government is considering easing travel restrictions for companies that will help rebuild Ukraine.
