Japan FM in Kyiv for reconstruction talks

Japan's foreign minister and a Japanese business delegation arrived in Kyiv Saturday for talks with Ukrainian officials on the reconstruction of the war-battered country.

The Japanese embassy in Kyiv posted on Facebook a video showing Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Japanese business representatives being welcomed by the city's officials at a train station.

Hayashi will meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba.

The visit reinforces Tokyo's support for Ukraine which was invaded by Russia last year and its eastern territories annexed by Moscow.

As well as joining Western powers in imposing sanctions on Moscow, Japan has already provided Ukraine with financial and humanitarian support.

It has also taken the rare steps of sending defensive equipment and offering refuge to those fleeing the conflict.

Tokyo has not offered military support, however, because the nation's post-war constitution limits its military capacity to ostensibly defensive measures.

WITH AFP