Japanese FM to visit Bucha
Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi visited Bucha and saw the Irpin Bridge, the Japanese Embassy in Ukraine reports.
"Minister Iwaya visited the memorial to the victims of the Russian occupation in Bucha on the territory of the Church of St. Andrew the First-Called. He prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead," the Embassy said in a message on the social network X.
The minister also visited the Irpin Bridge, which was blown up for defense purposes, "which has become a notorious monument to the struggle of Ukrainians for their freedom."
"The minister was able to see restored traffic on both lanes of the bridge," the Embassy noted.
According to the website of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Iwaya will hold talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha. Iwaya intends to assure his Ukrainian colleague that Japan will continue to promote strong support for Ukraine and strict sanctions against Russia.
"The minister will also be informed about his country's efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and will exchange views with his Ukrainian counterpart in order to continue close bilateral cooperation between the two countries," the message says.
In addition, Japan will express serious concern about the latest developments in military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including the transfer of North Korean soldiers to Russia, and will exchange views with Ukrainian colleagues.
The sides will also exchange views on cooperation between the public and private sectors for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Ukraine, including efforts to hold a Ukrainian mine clearance conference, which Japan will host next year.
On November 16, Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi arrived in Ukraine. This is one of his first foreign visits.
The previous Japanese Foreign Minister, Yoko Kamikawa, paid a visit to Ukraine in January this year.
