Kazuyuki Hamada: Ukraine and Japan Сould Сoordinate Struggle with Russia

With similar problems, in particular in relations with Russia, Ukraine and Japan could coordinate their actions. This is the opinion of Kazuyuki Hamada, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan (2011-2012), expressed during the 11^th Kyiv Security Forum organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation Open Ukraine.

“Ukraine, as a representative of Europe, and Japan, as a representative of Asia, could work together to share their experiences and views. Your struggle with Russia and our struggle with Russia can be coordinated,” the former Vice Minister noted.

Hamada added that Ukraine and Japan have at least three major similar blocks of issues: overcoming the consequences of nuclear disasters, counteraction the encroachments by Russia, and the political prisoners being held by other countries.

In view of the continuous strengthening of ties between the two countries, as well as the growing bilateral interests, he believes that the coordination of efforts in these areas can be promising.

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The annual international event Kyiv Security Forum was launched by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation Open Ukraine in 2007 as a platform for high-level discussions on the current issues in Europe and the Black Sea region. The Forum aims at increasing security cooperation between the EU and the Black Sea region, raising awareness about regional developments among key regional players, promoting the role of independent and non-governmental actors in setting the security agenda in Europe.

The event is being held with the support of NATO Information and Documentation Center in Ukraine, the German Marshall Fund, The Victor Pinchuk Foundation, The Royal Institute of International Relations, Chatham House (UK), and The Regional Representative Office of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Ukraine.