Japan’s top diplomat on presser in shelter: Now I feel seriousness of Ukraine’s situation

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Yoko Kamikawa, strongly condemned Russia’s missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, adding that the decision to choose a shelter for a joint press conference venue due to an active air raid alert indicates the seriousness of the situation of Ukraine.

The said press conference was held with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Our meeting has just ended. During the meeting, an air raid alert went off so we urgently decided to hold this press conference in a protected place. I now feel the tension and seriousness of the situation in Ukraine... I once again strongly condemn the ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks on various regions, including Kyiv, at the end of the year and during the New Year holidays, and express my sincere condolences to the victims of these attacks,” said Kamikawa.

The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan said that before meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart, she visited Bucha, where she saw with her own eyes "fresh scars" caused by the Russian aggression and experienced shock from the destruction she saw.

"I am convinced that we must never allow a unilateral change of the status quo through force and that we must work to protect women and children who are particularly vulnerable during war," Kamikawa emphasized.

She assured that Japan is determined to continue supporting Ukraine so that peace reigns over the country again.

As reported earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Yoko Kamikawa, arrived in Kyiv on Sunday, January 7, with an unannounced visit. This is Kamikava's first visit to Ukraine since she took office in September.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan