Lviv City Mayor Andrii Sadovyy met with Yo Osumi, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine, as well as representatives of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). The meeting focused on major joint projects between Lviv and Japan and prospects for further cooperation.
“Thank you for your visit and for Japan’s support for Ukraine. Japan is a symbol of stability and innovation in the world. Last year, we opened Ukraine’s first office dedicated to supporting Japanese businesses. Today, we are hosting a major business forum bringing together Japanese and Ukrainian companies interested in working together. Lviv is open to Japanese companies looking to enter the Ukrainian market and establish partnerships with local businesses. We are also actively cooperating in education and culture, and this is an area of great interest to us. Overall, our city is an innovator in many fields, from medicine and education to defence and advanced technologies,” said Lviv City Mayor Andrii Sadovyy.
The Ambassador assured the hosts that Japan stands in solidarity with Ukraine in upholding shared democratic values and expressed confidence that the visit by Japanese companies to Lviv would help deepen bilateral cooperation. He also extended his condolences to all those affected by russian aggression.
“Japan, and I personally, extend our deepest condolences to those affected and their families who have suffered devastating losses. I believe this is an important aspect of Japan’s engagement with Ukraine. Although we are not close neighbours — Ukraine is in Europe, while Japan is in another part of the world — we share fundamental values, including democracy, human rights, and the principles underpinning our civilisations. We have a close relationship built on cooperation. Building a resilient democracy requires collective effort, including contributions from Japanese companies. That is why their visit here today is particularly timely,” said Ambassador Yo Osumi. This was the Ambassador’s first official working visit to Lviv since taking up his post.
Koichi Sato, head of the Japanese delegation, added: “I believe that, thanks to the city’s potential and its proximity to neighbouring countries, Lviv can become a hub for people seeking opportunities to build stronger businesses across the region.”
One of the key topics discussed was the Lviv Japan Business Forum, a Ukrainian-Japanese business partnership forum taking place in Lviv that day. The focus is on practical opportunities for cooperation between businesses in both countries. Participants include Japanese companies already operating in Ukraine, businesses with a presence in Europe and Japan, and Ukrainian companies from various regions that already cooperate with Japan or are interested in establishing such partnerships.
On the following day, Lviv will host Japan Days, a major cultural event designed to introduce residents and visitors to Japan’s rich cultural heritage. Activities across various city venues will include workshops, lectures, martial arts demonstrations, concerts, theatrical performances, and exhibitions.
The meeting also covered plans to establish Lviv’s first Japanese Centre at one of the city’s gymnasiums; a residential facility for cancer patients to be built in Lviv by the Japanese company DAIWA House Group; economic development and new investment attraction models; public-private partnership mechanisms; and Ukraine’s reconstruction. The Mayor also presented the city’s key projects and the UNBROKEN ecosystem of care and support.
Following the meeting, Mayor Andrii Sadovyy and Ambassador Yo Osumi jointly planted a Kanzan cherry tree near the Dominican Cathedral. Cherry blossoms are one of Japan’s most recognisable national symbols, and planting them abroad serves as a gesture of lasting friendship.
In July 2025, Lviv became the first city in Ukraine to open a dedicated office supporting cooperation with Japan — Japan Desk Lviv. During its first year, the team developed partnerships in education, culture, tourism, and business, while facilitating connections between Japanese companies and Lviv-based businesses. Over this period, hundreds of Japanese business representatives visited the city to explore Lviv’s economic potential and consider investment opportunities. Cooperation with Japanese partners in innovation and defence technologies has also become a distinct area of focus.
Photo: Roman Baluk
