Ukraine and Japan step up cooperation in housing restoration and innovative construction tech

The Ministry for Communities and Territories Development held a plenary meeting on expanding the Japan-Ukraine Platform for Infrastructure Technology for Recovery and Reconstruction (JUPITeR) and bringing Japanese investment and tech to restore Ukrainian communities.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine — Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, Oleksii Kuleba, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine Masashi Nakagome, and Deputy Minister for International Projects of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Kenichi Kawamura. Representatives of the Cabinet Secretariat of Japan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan also joined the meeting.

In his welcoming speech, Oleksii Kuleba emphasized that Japan remained one of Ukraine's most consistent and reliable partners. Ukraine's path to the EU opens up new prospects for the joint Ukrainian-Japanese market, as well as providing scope and opportunities for the application of advanced Japanese technologies and innovative solutions. This makes bilateral cooperation even more beneficial and integrated into the European economic space.

Ukraine is already preparing for the next heating season, and one of the stages of preparation is the development of Regional Sustainability Plans. This determines the priorities of the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development and Ukrainian-Japanese cooperation: protection of critical infrastructure, development of distributed generation, and ensuring uninterrupted heat, water supply, and sanitation.

The Ukrainian side is also interested in cooperation in the housing, transport, water supply and sanitation, waste processing and environmental restoration sectors, as well as humanitarian and engineering demining.

Special attention was paid at the meeting to the reconstruction and implementation of remote construction technologies. Mr. Kenichi Kawamura confirmed readiness to support infrastructure restoration, as well as the intentions of 11 leading Japanese companies, whose representatives arrived in Kyiv, to share their experience in rapid and technological restoration.

"Our countries share common values: respect for international law, responsibility to society, and a commitment to technological development. The JUPITeR platform demonstrates the strategic nature of the Ukrainian-Japanese partnership and its long-term focus. I express my gratitude to the Government of Japan and all companies that are already operating in Ukraine or are preparing to start operations. Through joint efforts, we will ensure recovery and create modern infrastructure for future generations. Your presence here today is a clear signal of trust and readiness to work for the long term. We are interested not only in assistance, but also in creating joint ventures and industrial alliances," said Oleksii Kuleba.

During the meeting, a Statement of intent was also signed to promote the implementation of remote construction technologies in restoration and reconstruction. This document lays the foundation for the use of innovative Japanese technologies that will accelerate the reconstruction of housing and infrastructure in frontline regions.

The Statement was signed by Deputy Minister of Communities and Territories Development Maryna Denisyuk on behalf of the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, and by Kenichi Kawamura, Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan for International Projects, on behalf of Japan.