Japan's defence minister assures Polish FM of support for Ukraine
Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani has confirmed his country's intention to continue supporting Ukraine during a courtesy call by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, the Japanese Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement following the meeting.
The two held talks in Tokyo on Thursday, where the Polish delegation is on a visit until March 3.
During a meeting, attended also by Poland's Deputy Minister of Defence Pawel Zalewski and the Polish Ambassador to Tokyo Pawel Milewski, "Nakatani expressed his respect for Poland's initiatives, which are playing crucially important roles as the hub of military and humanitarian support for Ukraine on the front lines," according to the statement by the Japanese MoD.
Nakatani also argued that security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions are inseparable, the statement said.
Both sides agreed to further promote cooperation, including in defence, continue support for Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression, and strengthen cooperation through NATO and EU partner institutions.
Sikorski said that Ukraine wants to be able to defend itself and "still needs support."
The Japanese MoD declared in the statement that Tokyo and Warsaw will "continue to work closely together towards further deepening Japan-Poland cooperation."
On that day, Zalewski also held talks with the highest-ranking representative of the Japanese Self-Defence Forces, the incumbent Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, Yoshihide Yoshida.
On Friday, Sikorski is scheduled to meet his Japanese counterpart, Takeshi Iwaya.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo said the talks between the ministers were to serve as an exchange of views on bilateral relations and various international issues, including the situation in Ukraine.
On the sidelines of his visit, Sikorski will meet with Princess Hisako Takamado, a member of the Japanese Imperial Family. (PAP)
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