2023 visit by Fumio Kishida to Ukraine

Kishida had been planning to visit Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite news |title=安全確保、国会の承認…ハードルも実行 首相のウクライナ電撃訪問 |newspaper=産経ニュース |date=2023-03-21 |author=永原慎吾 |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20230321-VTF3VKEEOZLLLESYOKDEUGLZUM/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321105927/https://www.sankei.com/article/20230321-VTF3VKEEOZLLLESYOKDEUGLZUM/ |archivedate=2023-03-21 |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=産業経済新聞社}} Japan will act as the host state for the 49th G7 summit to be held in May 2023, with the situation in Ukraine on the main agenda, so, Kishida thought it was essential to visit Ukraine and talk directly with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine.{{R|"sankei-20230321"}} However, due to problems such as ensuring safety of Kishida at the actual place and the convention of advance report to the National Diet,{{Efn|It is customary for the Prime Minister and ministers to report to the board of Committee on Rules and Administration in advance when they make diplomatic visits, during the session of the National Diet.{{Cite news |title=予想済みでも「電撃」？ 岸田首相のウクライナ訪問を「タイミング」と「国会の慣例」から考える |newspaper=東京新聞 TOKYO Web |date=2023-03-23 |url=https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/239549 |archivedate=2023-03-29 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329172656/https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/239549 |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=中日新聞東京本社}}}} it had not been realized.{{R|"sankei-20230321"}}

In June 2022, it was reported that the leaders of France, Germany and Italy{{Efn|Emmanuel Macron (President of France), Olaf Scholz (Chancellor of Germany) and Mario Draghi (Prime Minister of Italy).}} were planning a joint visit to Ukraine before the 48th G7 summit.{{Cite news |title=ショルツ首相、仏伊首脳とウクライナ訪問計画か 独紙 |newspaper=日本経済新聞 |date=2022-06-13 |author=南毅郎 |url=https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOGR123770S2A610C2000000/ |archivedate=2023-03-23|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323173858/https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOGR123770S2A610C2000000/ |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=日本経済新聞社}} Since Kishida was scheduled to visit Europe to participate to the summit, he considered visiting Ukraine during this visit, and also considered to participate to the joint visit.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nhk.or.jp/politics/articles/feature/95741.html |title=「これは命に関わる話だ」岸田首相 ウクライナ キーウ電撃訪問は |archivedate=2023-03-23 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323205959/https://www.nhk.or.jp/politics/articles/feature/95741.html|access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=日本放送協会 |date=2023-03-21 |website=NHK政治マガジン}} However, this plan was abandoned because it would be difficult to keep the visit a secret by the advance report, and it will also cause trouble for the leaders of the three countries who are preparing secretly.{{R|"nhk-politics-20230321"}} On 16 June, the leaders of the three countries visited Ukraine.{{Cite news |title=独仏伊首脳がキーウ訪問 ショルツ氏、EU加盟候補へ支持 |newspaper=日本経済新聞 |date=2022-06-16 |author=南毅郎 |url=https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOGR15EAC0V10C22A6000000/ |archivedate=2023-03-23 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323170709/https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOGR15EAC0V10C22A6000000/ |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=日本経済新聞社}}

After that, Kishida continued to plan for a visit to Ukraine, but he was forced to concentrate on domestic affairs such as the 2022 Japanese House of Councillors election, the assassination of Shinzo Abe and the Unification Church problem that followed and the plan did not materialize.{{R|"nhk-politics-20230321"}}

The next visit plan was considered in December 2022, after the 210th Session of the National Diet was closed, because the advance report is not required during the recess of the Diet.{{R|"nhk-politics-20230321"}} However, due to the problem of ensuring safety of Kishida, and the leak of the top secret visit plan to the outside, this plan was also abandoned.{{R|"nhk-politics-20230321"}}

On 6 January 2023, Zelenskyy requested Kishida to visit Ukraine in a telephone conversation, and Kishida replied "I want to consider it".{{Cite web |url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/erp/c_see/ua/page6_000796.html |title=日・ウクライナ首脳電話会談 |archivedate=2023-03-23 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323173904/https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/erp/c_see/ua/page6_000796.html |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=外務省 |date=2023-01-06}} On 20 February 2023, President Joe Biden visited Ukraine, making Kishida the only leader of G7 not to have visited Kyiv since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite news |title=「必ず行くんだ」焦る岸田首相…G7首脳で唯一、キーウ訪問できず |newspaper=西日本新聞me |date=2023-02-23 |author=岩谷瞬 |url=https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/n/1057619/ |archivedate=2023-03-23 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323202231/https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/n/1057619/ |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=西日本新聞社}} With the 49th G7 summit to be held in Kishida's hometown in May 2023 approaching, he felt impatient with the situation in which he was the only leader of the host state to have not visited Ukraine.{{R|"nishinippon-20230223"}}

{{External media|video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMKtuYnU-qE 【ウクライナ電撃訪問へ】岸田首相 経由地のポーランドでの姿をNNNのカメラが捉える (2023/03/21)] – Nippon TV NEWS|video2=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1SIGnXpbx0 岸田首相がウクライナ訪問　ゼレンスキー大統領と連携拡大を表明 (2023/03/22)] – BBC News Japan}}

File:9H-VIM (6 Dec 2022).jpg

On 19 March 2023, he departed on the Japanese Air Force One from Haneda Airport to visit India for a summit meeting with Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India.{{Cite news |title=岸田首相、インドに向け出発 ２０日にモディ印首相と会談 |newspaper=産経ニュース |date=2023-03-19 |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20230319-M7E5BAMS75MKJEOL43RTRFG76U/ |archivedate=2023-03-20 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320000004/https://www.sankei.com/article/20230319-M7E5BAMS75MKJEOL43RTRFG76U/ |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=産業経済新聞社}} The Japan–India Summit Meeting was held the following day.{{Cite news |title=日印首脳会談「法の支配」で連携確認 中露を念頭に |newspaper=産経ニュース |date=2023-03-20 |author=広池慶一 |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20230320-7PSMRPKPXBMGJLM76EVHI7TTSE/ |archivedate=2023-04-12|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412012556/https://www.sankei.com/article/20230320-7PSMRPKPXBMGJLM76EVHI7TTSE/ |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=産業経済新聞社}} The schedule for the visit to India was unnaturally loose, as there was no the Diet schedule related to Kishida on 22 March, resulting in rumors that he would visit Ukraine.{{R|"nhk-politics-20230322"}}{{Cite web |url=https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/389713 |archivedate=2023-03-21 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321180631/https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/389713 |title=ウクライナ訪問実現なぜ？"不自然なくらい日程の空き""メディアに動き把握されにくい海外からの転戦"日本独自の支援の中身が焦点 |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=ジャパン・ニュース・ネットワーク |date=2023-03-21 |website=TBS NEWS DIG}}{{Efn|In the morning paper of 20 March 2023, there was also a political column that proposed and recommended a visit to Kyiv when returning from India.{{Cite news |author=特別編集委員・有吉 敏 |date=2023-03-20 |title=岸田首相いつ行く？ 今でしょ！：国会点描 かながわの風 |page=2 |newspaper=神奈川新聞 |url=https://www.kanaloco.jp/news/government/article-976656.html |accessdate=2023-03-25 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325234852/https://www.kanaloco.jp/news/government/article-976656.html |archivedate=2023-03-25}}}} Regarding the reason why the schedule on 21 March had enough time, people close to the Prime Minister told reporters "We have received an offer from the Indian side to visit Gujarat, the hometown of Modi, and we are considering it now".{{Cite news |title=キーウ電撃訪問 焦る首相、探った時機 サミット前、議長国の意地【表層深層】 |newspaper=あなたの静岡新聞 |date=2023-03-22 |url=https://www.at-s.com/news/article/national/1212108.html |archivedate=2023-03-26|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326002616/https://www.at-s.com/news/article/national/1212108.html|access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=静岡新聞社}}

The original schedule was to return to Japan in the early dawn of the 22 March, but Kishida secretly departed from Indira Gandhi International Airport (Palam Air Force Station) in Delhi for Rzeszów–Jasionka Airport in Poland using a business jet at around 07:30 pm.{{Cite news |title=岸田首相がキーウ電撃訪問…首相の戦地入りは戦後初めて |newspaper=読売新聞 |date=2023-03-21 |author=尾関航也 |author2=笹子美奈子 |url=https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20230321-OYT1T50235/ |archivedate=2023-03-25|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325030929/https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20230321-OYT1T50235/ |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=読売新聞グループ本社}}{{Cite news |title=岸田首相キーウ訪問「効果的」 習氏訪ロと重なり—本格検討年明けから |newspaper=時事ドットコム |date=2023-03-23 |url=https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2023032201174 |archivedate=2023-03-26|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326043626/https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2023032201174|access-date=2023-03-26 |agency=時事通信社}} The airplane, a Bombardier Global 7500 operated by VistaJet,{{Cite web |url=https://flyteam.jp/news/article/138658 |archivedate=2023-03-23 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323183333/https://flyteam.jp/news/article/138658 |title=岸田首相チャーター機でウクライナ訪問、ロシアは日本海上空でTu95MSが長時間飛行 |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=クロゴ株式会社 |date=2023-03-22 |website=FlyTeam ニュース}}{{Efn|It was reported that an aircraft registration was 9H-VIC{{R|name="flyteamnews"}}, and according to Flightradar24, it operated all sections of Haneda - Delhi - Rzeszów–Jasionka - Haneda with a call sign "VJT258".{{Cite web |url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/vjt258#2f970a55 |archivedate=2023-03-28|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328155729/https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/vjt258|title=Playback of flight VJT258 |accessdate=2023-03-29}}}} took off from Haneda Airport at around 08:00 pm on 19 March, about three hours before Kishida left for India.{{R|"nhk-politics-20230322"}} Only about ten persons, including Seiji Kihara (Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary), Takeo Akiba (head of the National Security Council), Shigeo Yamada (Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs), {{ill|Masashi Nakagome|ja|中込正志}} (head of the European Affairs Bureau), an interpreter, councilor of National Security Council, a doctor and the Security Police accompanied Kishida.{{Cite news |title=【前代未聞】首相秘書官すら置いてきぼりに…岸田首相「ウクライナ電撃訪問」は如何にして成し遂げられたか |newspaper=現代ビジネス |date=2023-03-25 |url= https://gendai.media/articles/-/108057 |archivedate=2023-03-31 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331214643/https://gendai.media/articles/-/108057 |access-date=2023-03-25 |publisher=講談社}} Kishida left the hotel where he was staying without the notice of accompanying reporters and the government attendant, and a publicist said with a bitter expression "I do not know what is going on".{{R|"at-s-20230322"}}

After arriving to Rzeszów, Kishida transferred to a car for Przemyśl Główny railway station, which lasted about an hour.{{R|"yomiuri-20230321-1"}}{{Cite web |url=https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/international/30820c0f74a84cbcaf9b92912666c882 |archivedate=2023-03-26 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326043626/https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/international/30820c0f74a84cbcaf9b92912666c882 |title=岸田首相、ウクライナ"極秘"訪問 プライベートジェットから深夜に列車へ |access-date=2023-03-26 |publisher=日本テレビ放送網 |date=2023-03-21 |website=日テレNEWS}} From Przemyśl, he transferred to a train for Kyiv.{{R|"yomiuri-20230321-1"}} The Government of Russia was informed prior to Kishida's visit.{{R|"yomiuri-20230321-1"}} NHK and Nippon News Network cameras captured Kishida boarding the train.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nhk.or.jp/politics/articles/feature/97138.html |title=岸田首相 戦地 ウクライナ電撃訪問こうして実現した |archivedate=2023-03-29 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329060528/https://www.nhk.or.jp/politics/articles/feature/97138.html |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=日本放送協会 |date=2023-03-22 |website=NHK政治マガジン}}{{Cite web |url=https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/politics/9a4c36538a7444f88fe0a01bea5ac45a |title=【独自】岸田首相がウクライナ電撃訪問へ 経由地のポーランドでの姿をNNNのカメラが捉える |archivedate=2023-03-25|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325165534/https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/politics/9a4c36538a7444f88fe0a01bea5ac45a |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=日本テレビ放送網 |date=2023-03-21 |website=日テレNEWS}} The video shows Kishida getting off the front car of the black-painted motorcade, boarding the train while being accompanied by a man who seems to be a strong local security guard, and loading corrugated fiberboard boxes.{{Efn|The contents of the box are rice paddles made in Itsukushima, which were loaded in corrugated fiberboard boxes of Umaibō.{{R|"sankei-20230323"}}}}{{R|"nhk-politics-20230322"}}{{R|"ntv-20230321"}} {{ill|Jiro Shinbo|ja|辛坊治郎}} claimed in a program in which he was a radio personality that the reason cameras were able to film Kishida boarding the train was an "intentional leak".{{Cite web |url=https://news.1242.com/article/425648 |title=岸田首相ウクライナ電撃訪問 列車に乗り込む映像をNHKと日テレが撮れたのは「意図的なリーク」辛坊治郎が持論 |archivedate=2023-03-22|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322220720/https://news.1242.com/article/425648|access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=ニッポン放送 |date=2023-03-21 |website=ニッポン放送 NEWS ONLINE}}

The train carrying Kishida arrived at Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi railway station a little after noon on 21 March, and was greeted by the local Japanese Embassy staff.{{Cite news |title=攻撃続くキーウ、岸田首相の到着１時間前から駅ホームは立ち入り禁止に |newspaper=読売新聞 |date=2023-03-22 |author=尾関航也 |author2=笹子美奈子 |url=https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/world/20230321-OYT1T50316/ |archivedate=2023-03-25|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325053030/https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/world/20230321-OYT1T50316/|access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=読売新聞グループ本社}}

After arriving to Ukraine, Kishida visited Bucha, where the massacre occurred in March 2022,{{R|"yomiuri-20230321-2"}} visited the church where 73 corpses were found, and laid flowers and offered a silent prayer at the mass grave behind the church.{{Cite news |title=ブチャの集団埋葬地で黙とう、岸田首相「残虐な行為に憤りを感じる」 |newspaper=読売新聞 |date=2023-03-21 |author=笹子美奈子 |url=https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/world/20230321-OYT1T50264/ |access-date=2023-03-21 |publisher=読売新聞グループ本社}} After that, Kishida visited a residential area in Bucha, inspected the generators donated by the Government of Japan for wintering assistance, and conveyed Japan's stance of providing wintering assistance to Ukraine.{{Cite web |url=https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/502994 |title=岸田首相 虐殺の地「ブチャ」を訪問 ウクライナ電撃訪問 |archivedate=2023-03-29|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329021017/https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/world/20230321-OYT1T50264/|access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=フジニュースネットワーク |date=2023-03-22 |website=FNNプライムオンライン}}

File:20230321ukraine 16.jpg]]

After returning to Kyiv, Kishida visited St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery and offered flowers to The Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine.{{Cite news |title=首相、墓標に献花 虐殺の地「強い憤り」 聖ミハイル黄金ドーム修道院も訪問 |newspaper=産経ニュース |date=2023-03-21 |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20230321-RD4LNDDIEZIIXHAKECHD62NGYI/ |archivedate=2023-03-22|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322054045/https://www.sankei.com/article/20230321-RD4LNDDIEZIIXHAKECHD62NGYI/|access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=産業経済新聞社}}{{R|"fnn-20230322"}}

After that, Kishida held a summit meeting with Zelenskyy for about two hours and forty minutes.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/erp/c_see/ua/page4_005820.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404023917/https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/erp/c_see/ua/page4_005820.html|archivedate=2023-04-04|title=日・ウクライナ首脳会談 |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=外務省 |date=2023-03-22}}

On the night of 21 March, after completing his time in Ukraine, Kishida left by a train for Poland.{{Cite news |title=岸田首相が乗った列車、キーウを出発か |newspaper=産経ニュース |date=2023-03-22 |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20230322-DAERUS36G5NM3F5KGXOMGLYUBA/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322085802/https://www.sankei.com/article/20230322-DAERUS36G5NM3F5KGXOMGLYUBA/|archivedate=2023-03-22|access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=産業経済新聞社}}{{Cite web |url=https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/politics/99f634cf52964a95b5a91aa099c88f63 |title=キーウを出発の岸田総理、きょう午後にはポーランド大統領と会談へ |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=日本テレビ放送網 |date=2023-03-22 |website=日テレNEWS}}

The Prime Minister's escort is handled by the Security Police of the Security Bureau of the Metropolitan Police Department, but as a general rule, the escort of the Prime Minister's diplomatic visits is entrusted to the country they are visiting.{{Cite news |title= 「岸田首相のウクライナ訪問」は見果てぬ夢となったのか…答えは否、唯一考えられるシナリオがある |newspaper=現代ビジネス |date=2023-03-11 |url= https://gendai.media/articles/-/107383 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317224027/https://gendai.media/articles/-/107383|archivedate=2023-03-17|access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=講談社}} During this visit to Ukraine, since there was no legal basis for dispatching the Japan Self-Defense Forces overseas for the purpose of protecting the Prime Minister, it was decided that the protection would be entirely entrusted to the accompanying Security Police and Ukrainian Armed Forces units.{{R|nhk-politics-20230322}} At the House of Councillors Budget Committee meeting on 22 March, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated about ensuring safety of Kishida at the actual place "The Ukrainian government took full responsibility, including acquisition of attack information by the Russian Armed Forces and evacuation, and carried out it".{{Cite news |title=松野氏、岸田首相の警備「ウクライナ政府が実施」 |newspaper=産経ニュース |date=2023-03-22 |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20230322-6E37MOV7P5JJ7AIQQDZEWULG44/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323052707/https://www.sankei.com/article/20230322-6E37MOV7P5JJ7AIQQDZEWULG44/|archivedate=2023-03-23|access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=産業経済新聞社}} In addition, Minister of Defense Yasukazu Hamada stated at a press conference on 22 March that the Ministry of Defense and the Japan Self-Defense Forces were not involved in Kishida's movement or protection, nor did it request the cooperation of the armed forces of Ukraine, Poland or other countries concerned.{{Cite news |title=岸田首相のウクライナ訪問 移動や警護に自衛隊「関与せず」 防衛相 |newspaper=毎日新聞 |date=2023-03-22 |author=川口峻 |url=https://mainichi.jp/articles/20230322/k00/00m/010/118000c |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323043312/https://mainichi.jp/articles/20230322/k00/00m/010/118000c|archivedate=2023-03-23|access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=毎日新聞社}} At the House of Councillors Budget Committee meeting on 23 March, Kishida stated "The security of foreigners, including VIPs, is primarily handled by organizations such as police authorities of the territorial country. There is no explicit provision for dispatching the Japan Self-Defense Forces overseas for the sole purpose of protecting Japan's VIPs".{{Cite news |title= 岸田首相"ウクライナ電撃訪問"…「しゃもじ問題」よりも大事な「警護問題」を議論せよ！ 鈴木氏が指摘 |newspaper= 報道ランナー |date=2023-03-24 |url= https://www.ktv.jp/news/articles/?id=05304 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326044842/https://www.ktv.jp/news/articles/?id=05304|archivedate=2023-03-26 |access-date=2023-03-24 |publisher=関西テレビ}}

This visit to Ukraine was carried out without advance report to the National Diet.{{Cite web |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20230322/k10014015571000.html |title=岸田首相 ウクライナからの帰国報告を行う方向で与野党調整へ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322083835/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20230322/k10014015571000.html |archivedate=2023-03-22 |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=日本放送協会 |date=2023-03-22 |website=NHKニュース}} In February 2023, the Liberal Democratic Party suggested the possibility of omitting an advance report,{{Cite web |url=https://www.nhk.or.jp/politics/articles/lastweek/96302.html |title=首相のウクライナ訪問 "事前報告省略も" 安住氏"帰国後でも" |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401151740/https://www.nhk.or.jp/politics/articles/lastweek/96302.html |archivedate=2023-04-01 |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=日本放送協会 |date=2023-02-27 |website=NHK政治マガジン}} while the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan had allowed the visit to Ukraine without an advance report, but had requested reports to be submitted to the Diet after returning to Japan.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nhk.or.jp/politics/articles/lastweek/96473.html |title=立民 泉代表 首相のウクライナ訪問 事前報告なくても容認 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324160021/https://www.nhk.or.jp/politics/articles/lastweek/96473.html |archivedate=2023-03-24 |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=日本放送協会 |date=2023-03-03 |website=NHK政治マガジン}}{{R|"nhk-20230227"}} At a meeting held in the National Diet Building on 22 March, the Liberal Democratic Party and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan agreed that after Kishida's return to Japan, he would make a report to the Diet in the form of questions from the ruling and opposition parties.{{Cite news |title=岸田首相帰国後に国会報告 自・立合意―情報管理、与野党が疑問視 |newspaper=時事ドットコム |date=2023-03-22 |url=https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2023032200451 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326045134/https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2023032200451 |archivedate=2023-03-26 |access-date=2023-03-23 |agency=時事通信社}}

At the joint press conference after the meeting, the Joint Statement on Special Global Partnership between Japan and Ukraine was announced.{{Cite web |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20230322/k10014016251000.html |title=【詳細】日本とウクライナ 首脳会談受け共同声明 |publisher=NHK |date=2023-03-22 |accessdate=2023-03-29|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323060953/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20230322/k10014016251000.html|archivedate=2023-03-23}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/erp/c_see/ua/page4_005819.html |title=日・ウクライナ共同声明 |publisher=外務省 |date=2023-03-22 |accessdate=2023-03-29|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329115437/https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/erp/c_see/ua/page4_005819.html|archivedate=2023-03-29}} The Joint Statement announced that they had agreed to upgrade the bilateral relations to the Special Global Partnership and to start coordination for the conclusion of the Japan–Ukraine Agreement on the Security of Information.{{R|"mainichi-20230322"}} In addition, it was decided that President Zelenskyy was to participate online at the 49th G7 summit.{{R|"mainichi-20230322"}}{{Efn|After this decision, Zelenskyy strongly hoped to participate to the face-to-face summit.{{Cite press release|title=G7広島サミット（ゼレンスキー・ウクライナ大統領の訪日）|date=2023-05-20|publisher=外務省|url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/ecm/ec/page4_005892.html|language=ja|access-date=2023-05-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520155111/https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/ecm/ec/page4_005892.html|archive-date=2023-05-20}} In response to this, on 20 May 2023, the Government of Japan announced that he would visit Japan to participate to the summit,{{R|name="mofa-20230520"}} and he arrived at Hiroshima Airport at around 03:30 pm on the day.{{Cite news |title=ゼレンスキー大統領が広島空港に到着 |newspaper=産経ニュース |date=2023-05-20 |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20230520-5Y2N7DKQCJPI7ETNFFR3KQKS5A/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |publisher=産業経済新聞社 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520114717/https://www.sankei.com/article/20230520-5Y2N7DKQCJPI7ETNFFR3KQKS5A/ |archive-date=2023-05-20}}}} In addition, the following aid was announced:

• Non-lethal defense equipment assistance amounting to {{US$|30}} million{{Cite news |title=岸田首相、ゼレンスキー大統領と会談 5億ドル追加支援など表明 |newspaper=毎日新聞 |date=2023-03-22 |author=源馬のぞみ |author2=川口峻 |url=https://mainichi.jp/articles/20230322/k00/00m/030/004000c |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413195511/https://mainichi.jp/articles/20230322/k00/00m/030/004000c |archivedate=2023-04-13 |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=毎日新聞社}}
• It is done through the NATO trust fund, and is expected to provide bulletproof vests and clothing.{{Cite news |title=岸田首相とゼレンスキー氏会談、「揺るぎない連帯」を表明…装備品支援で４０億円拠出 |newspaper=読売新聞 |date=2023-03-22 |url=https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20230322-OYT1T50093/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330131442/https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20230322-OYT1T50093/ |archivedate=2023-03-30 |access-date=2023-03-29}}
• Assistance including new bilateral grant aid amounting to {{US$|470}} million in the energy sector

NHK footage of Kishida boarding a train bound for Kyiv from Przemyśl in southeastern Poland showed the Japanese government officials carrying corrugated fiberboard boxes of Umaibō, so it became a trending topic on social networking services that Kishida might have brought a large amount of Umaibō as relief supplies.{{Cite news |title=岸田首相の手土産は「うまい棒」だった? 国境の町で映った段ボール |newspaper=朝日新聞 |date=2023-03-23 |url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASR3Q6FHNR3QUHBI01R.html |access-date=2023-03-25 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330222237/https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASR3Q6FHNR3QUHBI01R.html |archivedate=2023-03-30}} However, the contents of the box were actually {{Convert|50|cm|in}} rice paddles made in Itsukushima (Miyajima), Hiroshima Prefecture where is Kishida's hometown.{{Cite news |title=首相のウクライナ訪問、「うまい棒」が支援物資？ 判明した意外な中身は… |newspaper=産経ニュース |date=2023-03-23 |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20230323-2PRML6X25ZL4XEZSTEOG5FOCQ4/ |access-date=2023-03-23 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329203834/https://www.sankei.com/article/20230323-2PRML6X25ZL4XEZSTEOG5FOCQ4/ |archivedate=2023-03-29 |publisher=産業経済新聞社}} It has the word {{Nihongo|"Certain Victory"|必勝|Hisshō}} and the signature of Kishida.{{R|"sankei-20230323"}} According to the Miyajima Tourist Association, the origins of Certain Victory and rice paddle go back to the Russo-Japanese War.{{R|"ntv-news-20230325"}} The association said "Miyajima, which is located in Hiroshima Bay, was one of the places where soldiers went to the war, so before they went to the war, the soldiers visited Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima to pray for their safe return, and dedicated a rice paddle as altanative of protective amulet{{Efn|The superstition meaning of "capture the enemy".{{R|"ntv-news-20230325"}}}}".{{R|"sankei-20230323"}} Kishida also displays an extra-large rice paddle with the word {{Nihongo|"Certain Victory"|必勝|Hisshō}} written on it, which was given to him by the Liberal Democratic Party Hiroshima as a prayer for victory when he ran for the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election in his office in the National Diet Building.{{R|"sankei-20230323"}}

Regarding this gift, the Embassy of Ukraine in Japan posted on its official Twitter account on 24 March, {{Nihongo|"Certain Victory!"|必勝！|Hisshō!}}.{{Cite news |title=ウクライナ駐日大使、必勝しゃもじを歓迎 「日本の贈り物として喜ばれる」 |newspaper=産経新聞 |date=2023-03-25 |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20230325-DCVM5C7KTBJYRDEFENMFAUE7QM/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327102342/https://www.sankei.com/article/20230325-DCVM5C7KTBJYRDEFENMFAUE7QM/ |archivedate=2023-03-27 |access-date=2023-03-25 }} Ambassador of Ukraine to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky also responded favorably, posting on Twitter on 25 March, "From now on, the "Certain Victory Rice Paddle" will be greatly appreciated as a gift from Japan".{{R|"sankei-20230325"}} On the other hand, Kenta Izumi, the leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, criticized the act at a press conference, "Giving the leader during the war a local noted product that is used for exams and sports cheering cannot be wiped out the sense of disharmony, and it exposed the lack of nervousness".{{Cite news |title=首相ウクライナに"必勝しゃもじ"立民泉代表「違和感拭えず」 |newspaper=産経新聞 |date=2023-03-24 |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20230324/k10014018491000.html |access-date=2023-03-25 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331055201/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20230324/k10014018491000.html |archivedate=2023-03-31}} Also, Nobuyuki Baba, the leader of the Nippon Ishin no Kai, criticized the act at a press conference, "They are fighting for dead or alive and they need support of this. Is it not a little too easy to bring rice paddles with a local noted product to such a place".{{Cite news |date=2023-03-24 |title=維新・馬場代表、しゃもじ贈呈は「お気楽すぎる」 |newspaper=産経新聞 |publisher=産経新聞社 |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20230324-KDUHSXIG7BLWVMEJVMD7BDWXEQ/ |accessdate=2023-04-14 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408084125/https://www.sankei.com/article/20230324-KDUHSXIG7BLWVMEJVMD7BDWXEQ/ |archivedate=2023-04-08}} Also, the Miyajima Tourist Association complained, "It is great that the rice paddle has spread to the world, but I am not sure if the word "Certain Victory" is appropriate. Ukrainian people are really fighting for dead or alive. Even if we gifts a rice paddle with {{Nihongo|"Love"|愛|Ai}} or {{Nihongo|"Peace"|平和|Heiwa}} written on it, people will tell us that you take peace for granted".{{Cite news |title=岸田首相がお土産に"必勝しゃもじ"……地元観光協会も「微妙」と苦言 |newspaper=日テレニュース |date=2023-03-25 |url=https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/politics/e74928651f46441cb8536b1bcd5d5d30 |access-date=2023-03-26 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326050219/https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/politics/e74928651f46441cb8536b1bcd5d5d30 |archivedate=2023-03-26}}

In addition to rice paddles, Miyajima ware lamps with orizuru motifs were given as a gift.{{R|name=:0}} At a press conference on 23 March, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno explained the reason for the gift, saying, "It is to convey encouragement to President Zelenskyy who stands up to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and prayers for peace".{{R|name=:0}}

At a press conference on 21 March 2023, John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council welcomed it as "It's another example of just how strongly Japan is standing up with the rest of the international community to support Ukraine".{{Cite press release |title=Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby |date=2023-03-21 |publisher=The White House |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2023/03/21/press-briefing-by-press-secretary-karine-jean-pierre-and-nsc-coordinator-for-strategic-communications-john-kirby-10/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414151454/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2023/03/21/press-briefing-by-press-secretary-karine-jean-pierre-and-nsc-coordinator-for-strategic-communications-john-kirby-10/ |archive-date=2023-04-14}} Patrick S. Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary appreciated Kishida's visit to Ukraine, saying "I do think it is significant and we do continue to appreciate Japan and other countries' support for Ukraine, when it comes to securing an international rules-based order".{{Cite press release |title=Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds an On-Camera Press Briefing |date=2023-03-21 |publisher=The Department of Defense |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3336849/pentagon-press-secretary-air-force-brig-gen-pat-ryder-holds-an-on-camera-press/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426121342/https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3336849/pentagon-press-secretary-air-force-brig-gen-pat-ryder-holds-an-on-camera-press/ |archive-date=2023-04-26}}{{Cite news |title=アメリカ政府、岸田首相のウクライナ訪問に「感謝」 米メディアは「中国の習氏と決闘外交」 |newspaper=東京新聞 TOKYO Web |date=2023-03-22 |author=吉田通夫 |url=https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/239533 |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=中日新聞東京本社 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329195125/https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/239533 |archivedate=2023-03-29}}

Regarding Kishida's visit to Ukraine, Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, said at a press conference on 21 March 2023, "The international community should create the conditions for a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine", and said "We want Japan to do many things that are beneficial, not against the de-escalation of the situation".{{Cite news |title=中国、岸田首相のキーウ訪問でけん制…「日本は有益なことを」 |newspaper=読売新聞 |date=2023-03-21 |url=https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/world/20230321-OYT1T50301/ |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=読売新聞グループ本社 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322090924/https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/world/20230321-OYT1T50301/ |archivedate=2023-03-22}} Furthermore, Chinese President and General Secretary of the Communist Party Xi Jinping met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia on 21 March 2023, the same day as Kishida's visit to Ukraine, and there is a tendency to view these in contrast in Western media.{{Cite news |title=「中ロと対比で、より効果的に」、岸田首相のウクライナ訪問で外務省 |newspaper=朝日新聞デジタル |date=2023-03-22 |author=上地一姫 |url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASR3Q3PX9R3QUTFK008.html |access-date=2023-03-23 |publisher=朝日新聞社 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330222245/https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASR3Q3PX9R3QUTFK008.html |archivedate=2023-03-30}}

At a press conference on 23 March 2023, Maria Zakharova, the Director of the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, argued that Kishida's visit to Ukraine may have been deliberately chosen to influence the China–Russia Summit Meeting.{{Cite web |title=岸田首相のウクライナ訪問に論評 広島名物「必勝しゃもじ」は挑発―ロシア：時事ドットコム |url=https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2023032400839 |website=時事ドットコム |access-date=2023-03-24 |language=ja |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401234208/https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2023032400839 |archivedate=2023-04-01}} A Russian state-owned news agency TASS reported on the "Certain Victory Rice Paddle" gifted by Kishida to Zelenskyy, emphasizing that it was a protective amulet for Japanese soldiers during the Russo-Japanese War.{{Cite web |title=岸田首相、ゼレンスキー大統領に「必勝しゃもじ」と「折り鶴ランプ」を贈呈 |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20230323-JRG56Z6UOJKKHLU6HOOG7LHIJU/ |website=産経ニュース |date=2023-03-23 |access-date=2023-03-23 |language=ja |first=SANKEI DIGITAL |last=INC |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330034518/https://www.sankei.com/article/20230323-JRG56Z6UOJKKHLU6HOOG7LHIJU/ |archivedate=2023-03-30}} This rice paddle is perceived as a provocation to Russia and TASS reported with displeasure.{{R|":1"}}

File:20230321ukraine 09.jpg|Kishida arriving in Kyiv

File:20230321ukraine 10.jpg|Kishida laying flowers in the city of Bucha

File:20230321ukraine 07.jpg|Summit meeting between Kishida and Zelenskyy

File:20230321ukraine 23.jpg|Kishida and Zelenskyy hold the joint press conference

{{Notelist}}

• Japan–Ukraine relations
• 2023 visit by Joe Biden to Ukraine
• 2023 visit by Xi Jinping to Russia

{{Reflist|3}}

{{Commons}}

• [https://japan.kantei.go.jp/101_kishida/actions/202303/_00030.html Visit to Ukraine] – Prime Minister's Official Residence
• [https://www.mofa.go.jp/erp/c_see/ua/page4e_001360.html Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Ukraine] – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• [https://www.mofa.go.jp/erp/c_see/ua/page4e_001361.html Japan–Ukraine Summit Meeting]
• [https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/erp/c_see/ua/page4_005819.html Japan–Ukraine Joint Statement] {{In lang|ja}}

{{Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{Volodymyr Zelenskyy}}

{{Portal bar|Japan|Ukraine|2020s}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fumio Kishida visit to Ukraine, 2023}}

Category:2023 in Japanese politics

Category:March 2023 in Ukraine

Category:2020s in Kyiv

Category:Diplomatic visits

Category:Events affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Category:Kyiv in the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Category:Japan–Ukraine relations

Ukraine visit

Category:Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Category:Bucha, Ukraine