For the first time since 2019, Ukrainian companies have been represented at the FOODEX JAPAN 2024, the international food and beverage exhibition, said Ambassador of Ukraine to Japan Serhii Korsunsky.

Japan has been a long-term supporter of Ukraine in its struggle against Russian occupiers. In early March, the country imposed sanctions on 12 individuals and 36 organizations that helped Russia wage its war, as per UkrInform. 

On 7 January, Japan contributed approximately $37 million to NATO’s trust fund for unmanned aerial vehicle detecting systems in Ukraine. 

Moreover, Ukraine and Japan signed 56 economic development and reconstruction cooperation documents during the recent Tokyo Conference on Development and Reconstruction. They include intergovernmental agreements, memorandums, and agreements between businesses and local authorities.

According to the ambassador, 12 Ukrainian companies have received a separate pavilion to present their products at the FOODEX JAPAN 2024, which was opened in Tokyo on 5 March and will end on 8 March. 

“Today, the FOODEX-2024 international exhibition opened in Tokyo. The Japanese food market is vast, competitive, prestigious, and lucrative.

This time, for the first time since 2019, we have a Ukrainian pavilion at the exhibition, organized in collaboration with our good partner JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization).

12 Ukrainian companies have the opportunity to present their products, and we can be proud of them – delicious, nutritious, and beautiful,” the diplomat wrote.

He informed that after the opening ceremony, the Ukrainian stand was visited by the Minister of Agriculture of Italy, the president of JETRO, and representatives of several Japanese importers.

“We will work with them so that our oil, beer, candies, fantastic ready-made products from cheeses, fruits, and dry breakfasts appear on the Japanese market this year,” added Korsunsky. 

Earlier, the Japanese government pledged 15.8 billion yen ($106 million) to assist Ukraine’s reconstruction across seven key areas. The aid would finance urgent needs like demining equipment, temporary bridges, and agricultural expansion to start rebuilding efforts.

Other cooperation areas span healthcare, IT, infrastructure, humanitarian aid, industrial technologies, and governance reforms.

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