Ukraine Should Step Up Diplomacy With Japan's New Government To Secure Security Guarantees Ex-Ambassador

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) This opinion was expressed by Kuninori Matsuda, Japan's Ambassador to Ukraine in 2021–2024, in a comment to Ukrinform.

The diplomat noted that Tokyo can play a role in providing security guarantees for Ukraine even without a direct military presence.

“When people talk about security guarantees for Ukraine, there are actually three aspects: political, military, and economic... I consider it quite likely that Japan can contribute to the third aspect - strengthening Ukraine's economy, which in turn will enhance its Armed Forces and defense industry,” Matsuda said.

He also recalled that Japan took part in monitoring the ceasefire in Ukraine between 2014 and 2021 within the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission and predicted it could do so again.

The former ambassador added that“there are many things Japan can do to contribute to Ukraine's security guarantees,” but this requires participation in the relevant discussions and proper preparation.

In his view, the new Japanese government must actively engage in this effort.

“Today, it is not yet clear who will run for prime minister, but... Japan's support for Ukraine will continue regardless of who becomes the new prime minister. Of course, there will be differences in nuance, but the support will remain - Ukrainians can be sure of that,” Matsuda emphasized.

He pointed out that all potential candidates for prime minister have advisers well informed about the situation, but stressed that the new government must take into account today's security challenges.

“The first challenge is that leaders of China, Russia, North Korea, and others gathered in Beijing. The second is Russia's drone provocations against Poland, a NATO member. The third is that Pyongyang continues to support Moscow in the war, while Beijing cooperates with Russia, including in drone production. Considering all this, I believe the new Japanese government must respond to these challenges, as the war in Ukraine is now directly tied to security in East Asia, not just potentially affecting the region,” Matsuda underlined.

In this context, he urged Kyiv and its European partners to actively discuss security guarantees for Ukraine with the new government in Tokyo.

“With the formation of a new government in Japan, Ukraine should step up its diplomacy. If the new Ukrainian Ambassador (Yurii Lutovynov – ed.) arrives in Tokyo by the end of September, he should prepare thoroughly,” the diplomat stressed.

Read also: Japan to consider role in security guarantees for Ukraine – P

At the same time, Matsuda expressed the view that the election of a new prime minister is an opportunity to strengthen Japanese-Ukrainian relations.

He also reminded that on October 22 an international conference on demining in Ukraine will be held in Tokyo, where a Ukrainian delegation - likely led by Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko - may meet with Japan's new prime minister.

As reported, on September 7 Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation.

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