Japan has emerged as the second largest provider of financial assistance to Ukraine, after the United States, with its contributions reaching $15 billion to date. This includes a recent $3 billion as part of the G7 package, which utilises frozen Russian assets under guarantees.
Serhiy Korsunskyy, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Japan since April 2020, recently spoke to LB.ua about Japan’s extensive support during the war. Korsunskyy, who was dismissed by presidential decree on 21 December 2024 but remains in office until a successor is appointed, highlighted key aspects of Japan’s assistance.
Korsunskyy noted the importance of restarting the Coordination Council for Cooperation between Japan’s Keidanren Business Federation and Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, which had been inactive since 2019 due to COVID-19 and the ongoing war. A recent meeting of the council marked a significant step forward, with Ukraine engaging with Japanese government ministers and participating in business forums in Tokyo and Osaka.
One notable outcome was Japan’s proposal to establish a bilateral mechanism for dialogue in the field of infrastructure. The first online meeting between deputy ministers of infrastructure from both countries is scheduled for 26 December, aimed at involving Japanese companies in Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.
“Japanese companies know how to build everything so that it can stand for centuries and not fall on drivers’ heads. I mean bridges. We want all this to appear in Ukraine as soon as there is a ceasefire and we can start large-scale projects,” Korsunskyy said.
Japan has been instrumental in helping Ukraine maintain critical infrastructure by supplying powerful transformers and turbine generators, with these supplies now being shipped from Japanese factories in Europe. Additionally, the Japanese parliament has approved assistance that includes specialised machinery and equipment for Ukrhydroenergo and Ukrenergo, as well as solar power plants for critical infrastructure.
There is also a programme to supply rails to Ukrzaliznytsya for rebuilding Ukraine’s railway network after the war.
Japan’s financial support largely flows through the World Bank, which defines the directions and mechanisms for using these funds. Korsunskyy clarified that the money cannot be used for military purposes but instead supports budget programmes unrelated to defence.
“As far as I know, they cannot be used for the needs of the army. […] These funds are used to support budget programmes that are not related to defence,” Korsunskyy explained.
Korsunskyy emphasised the need to attract powerful Japanese companies to Ukraine for reconstruction projects, particularly in infrastructure, once the conditions allow. With its expertise in long-lasting construction, Japan is poised to play a crucial role in Ukraine’s post-war recovery.