Ukraine and Japan intensify cooperation in culture and heritage protection: results of negotiations between Tetiana Berezhna and Toshiko Abe in Tokyo

On August 4, during her visit to Japan, acting Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine Tetiana Berezhna held an official meeting with Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan Toshiko Abe.

Tetyana Berezhna expressed her gratitude to Japan for its multi-level support, particularly within the framework of UNESCO and JICA projects aimed at protecting cultural heritage and strengthening independent Ukrainian media.

During the talks, the parties discussed priority areas that could form the basis for deepening bilateral cooperation. In particular, they focused on the restoration of destroyed cultural objects, training Ukrainian specialists in the conservation and evacuation of art treasures, digital transformation in the field of heritage protection, and the creation of modern storage facilities for museum collections. The issue of supporting Ukrainian exhibitions, tours, and visits by Ukrainan artists to Japan was also raised.

Tetiana Berezhna invited Japan to join the Cultural Resilience Alliance and the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund as a strategic partner in the preservation and restoration of historical and cultural monuments. Cultural exchange projects were also discussed, in particular the translation of Japanese animation, films, and literature into Ukrainian.

“We are not asking for charity, we are inviting you to partner with a country whose culture and resilience are the strong and unbreakable eastern gate of Europe,” the acting Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine Tetiana Berezhna emphasized.

On the outcomes of the meeting, the parties confirmed their mutual interest in further developing cooperation and implementing joint initiatives and strategic projects in the fields of culture, education, media, and information space security.