The First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko met with the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan Muto Yoji in Tokyo. The parties commended the success of the ninth joint meeting between the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the Keidanren Business Federation of Japan with the participation of Ukrainian and Japanese entrepreneurs.

"Japan has been actively supporting our economy. In the first six months of 2024 alone, Japan invested USD 203.5 million in Ukraine's economy. Almost 40 of the major Japanese companies operate in Ukraine, providing jobs and supporting our budget with taxes. The volume of bilateral trade is also growing. Last year, it grew by almost 30%, this year by an additional 6%, reaching USD 747.2 million in 2024," Yuliia Svyrydenko said.

The First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine expressed hope that financial support for Ukraine from Japan would be available next year, in particular in the Japanese state budget for 2025. The draft budget is currently being considered by the Japanese Parliament.

To date, Japan is the second largest donor to Ukraine's budget. In addition, the country is implementing more than 30 projects through international organisations, including in such areas as agriculture, medicine, demining, and others.

The Ministers also welcomed the opening of the office of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in Kyiv in October this year. The Japanese and Ukrainian sides agreed to further develop JETRO's role in in supporting business and promoting economic partnership between the two countries.

The following important event in bilateral relations between Japan and Ukraine will be the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

"I am sincerely grateful to Japan for the opportunity to represent Ukraine at the World Expo. This is the world's largest such event. I am especially grateful for Japan's willingness to support Ukraine's participation financially, understanding the challenges we face. I strongly believe that Ukraine's participation in Expo 2025 will help us to further deepen cooperation at all levels," said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

At the same time, the Minister of Economy of Japan acknowledged the enhanced cooperation between Japanese and Ukrainian businesses. In particular, four missions of Japanese businesses to Ukraine have already taken place. In addition, Japan, together with UNIDO and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, has launched a project to transfer Japanese technology to Ukraine with the support of the Japanese government.

The parties also discussed the steps needed to boost trade.