Japan PM Kishida considers Ukraine visit in February

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is reportedly considering a visit to Ukraine in February. Kishida is expected to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit in the hopes of assuring the Ukrainian leader that supports for the country in the war would continue.

Japan’s Yomiuri newspaper reported on Sunday that Kishida is considering visiting Ukraine in February to hold talks with Zelenskyy. The newspaper added that Kishida, as Japan holds the G7 chair for 2023, hopes to assure Zelenskyy that support for Ukraine in the nearly 11-month-long war will continue. Kishida also aims to release a joint statement with Zelenskyy further condemning the war, according to Japanese government sources.

Sources familiar with the matter said that Kishida is set to make the final decision on a possible visit to Kyiv.

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara said on a television program on the same day that the idea of a potential visit to Ukraine is something Japan must look into as the chair of the G7 countries this year. However, Kihara said that nothing has been decided yet. The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy make up the other members of the G7.

Earlier this month, Kishida spoke with Zelenskyy on the phone, saying that he would consider an invitation to visit Ukraine depending on “various circumstances.” Japan is also set to hold the annual G7 summit in May in Hiroshima, with the ongoing war expected to be on the agenda.

Meanwhile, Kishida said Sunday that he plans to nominate a new governor for the Bank of Japan next month. Kishida initially said that the replacement for Haruhiko Kuroda would be decided upon depending on the country’s economic situation in April. However, Kishida later said that the new appointment would likely be made in February, taking into account the schedule of parliament. Kishida did not disclose further details on the possible new appointment.

The terms for Kuroda’s two deputies are set to expire on March 19, and the nominations for all three posts must be approved by parliament. Kuroda’s term as BOJ governor ends on April 8.