Ministry for Veterans Affairs: Strengthening cooperation with Japan in the rehabilitation of veterans and research into the challenges of war

Veteran and Deputy Minister for Veterans Affairs of Ukraine Ruslan Prykhodko continues his work in Japan as part of the Ukrainian delegation, which is there at the invitation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

During a meeting with Ukraine’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Japan Yurii Lutovinov and Defence Attaché Colonel Andrii Bilenkyi, discussions focused on ways to strengthen cooperation with Japan in the areas of prosthetics, medical and physical rehabilitation of veterans, the development of inclusive public spaces, and recovery through physical culture and sport.

Ruslan Prykhodko also visited the Ministry of Defence of Japan. The Japanese side presented its system of social protection for members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, support after leaving service, and approaches to medical, psychological and social rehabilitation.

Particular attention was given to expanding support for the restoration of human capital. This included strengthening the capabilities of communities by providing modern medical equipment for rehabilitation and research, robotic systems, and the latest technologies from Japan.

Separately, the expansion of programmes for the treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian service members in Japan was discussed. To date, 18 Ukrainian defenders have already undergone treatment and rehabilitation in Japanese medical facilities. Discussions are under way to increase the number of service members who can benefit from these programmes.

Following the meeting, Ruslan Prykhodko visited Ukrainian veteran Ihor Havryshchenko, who is undergoing prosthetics and rehabilitation at one of Tokyo’s hospitals. Practical aspects of further cooperation were discussed with the management of the medical institution.

Another important area was the discussion of establishing a Ukrainian-Japanese Institute of War Time Studies. This would serve as a platform for the exchange of experience: Ukraine would share practical knowledge of conducting modern warfare, while Japan would be able to study this experience without direct involvement in combat operations, in line with its legal and societal constraints.

Ukraine highly values Japan’s support and is ready to deepen partnership in the fields of veteran rehabilitation, veterans’ policy, and the study of contemporary challenges of war.

The Japanese side also confirmed its readiness to continue supporting the rehabilitation of Ukrainian defenders.