Japan to Fund Kyiv Pechersk Lavra Restoration and Launch Scholarship Program for Ukraine

Andrii Sybiha’s Diplomatic Mission to Tokyo

According to МЗС: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has wrapped up a two-day visit to Japan, during which he held 18 meetings focused on tangible outcomes for bilateral cooperation. The trip yielded three major commitments:

• Japan will contribute to rebuilding the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra following a Russian strike;
• Tokyo will allocate up to $500,000 for a scholarship initiative aimed at strengthening Ukrainian institutions;
• Japan agreed to review Ukraine’s proposals for a new level of security partnership.

“This was one of the most intense visits to Tokyo. In two days, I held 18 meetings-and every one of them was about concrete results. The three key outcomes: Japan will help restore the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra after the Russian attack; provide up to $500,000 for a scholarship program to bolster Ukrainian institutions; and consider Ukraine’s proposals for a deeper security partnership.”

Andrii Sybiha

During the visit, Sybiha held talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, met with Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro, and also sat down with former Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. The Ukrainian delegation included business representatives and Deputy Economy Minister Vitaliy Kindratiev. Oleksandr Kamyshin also took part in the meeting with Japan’s defense minister.

Key Highlights of the Visit

Other notable moments included participation in the Ukraine-Japan Energy Business Dialogue forum hosted by JETRO, and a meeting with Mariko Ukiyo, director of the Japan Mental Health Association. The foreign minister also visited Setagaya Central Hospital, where a Ukrainian serviceman-who has been fighting since 2014 and was severely wounded in the Sumy region-is undergoing rehabilitation.

Additionally, Sybiha gave an interview to Japan’s NHK channel and presented a Ukrainian soldier with the 'Amber Heart' award from Father Pavlo, a protopriest of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Notably, during the visit, Russia launched another missile attack on Ukraine from a military base in the Amur region.

Japan has been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine: since 2022, its total assistance has exceeded $20 billion. Japanese equipment has helped Ukraine endure wartime winters from 2022–2023 through 2025–2026, and Tokyo has contributed nearly $15 million to the non-lethal component of the PURL initiative.

Sybiha’s visit underscores the deepening partnership between the two nations, especially amid Ukraine’s ongoing war. As a key ally, Japan is actively involved in rebuilding infrastructure and supporting Ukrainian institutions-efforts that could significantly help stabilize the country. Moreover, Tokyo’s willingness to explore enhanced security cooperation signals a potential expansion of military and political ties between the two states.

In addition to the commitments made during Andrii Sybiha's visit, the discussions also touched upon new recovery initiatives for Ukraine, showcasing Japan's ongoing support for the country's rebuilding efforts. These proposed projects aim to further strengthen the bilateral ties and enhance Ukraine's resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.