Due to a full-scale attack by the Russians on Ukraine, in early March, the Japanese embassy closed Kyiv and relocated to the west of Ukraine — to Lviv city. Against the backdrop of growing Russian aggression, embassy staff were forced to relocate outside of Ukraine. Until today, the Japanese embassy was located in Warsaw, where most of the international diplomatic missions in Kyiv have moved.
On October 5, The Japan Times announced that the embassy has resumed operations in Kyiv after 7 months of work through Warsaw and prime minister Fumio Kishida's liaison office in Rzeszow. According to Japanese media, the decision was made for 2 reasons:
- Russia has eased attacks on the capital, and Ukraine has provided adequate security for those on its territory. This is evidenced by the fact that the majority of refugees and internally displaced persons returned to the country and native cities, as well as 6 G7 states restored their representations: Great Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the USA. These countries reopened in spring.
- Sources testify that the opening of the embassy symbolizes unity among the G7. Foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi called this event "vital for close communication between Japan and Ukraine".
So far, the Japanese diplomatic mission will operate with a minimum quantity of staff. Kuninori Matsuda will collect information and communicate with the government of Ukraine.
