Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will make new agreements with U.S. President Joe Biden when he visits the White House this week, while U.S. and Japanese businesses sign investment deals and cement other ties. Japan and the U.S. are expected to announce plans to upgrade their military alliance, including changes in U.S. military command in Japan and more joint development of defense equipment.
Japanese and Ukrainian representatives met in Tokyo on Feb. 19 to foster dialogue between both government officials and business leaders on how Japan could contribute to rebuilding the country. The Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction in Tokyo gathered around 300 people and 80 companies, including Kubota, Sumitomo Corp, Kawasaki Heavy, and Rakuten. During the meeting, Japan announced it would earmark 1.25 billion euros ($1.34 billion) to support Japanese investors in Ukraine.
Japan hosted Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Monday in Tokyo to discuss the reconstruction of Ukraine, pledging a new bilateral tax treaty and other support for Japanese businesses as the Ukraine war rages on. "Japan has stood with and continues to stand with Ukraine," Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a speech opening the talks, during which he announced a new bilateral tax treaty and the start of negotiations for an investment treaty without giving details.