Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine Masashi Nakagome visited Lviv to discuss further development of Ukrainian-Japanese cooperation. Together with Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyy, the Ambassador discussed the implementation of strategic investment, cultural, and educational projects, as well as new areas for partnership between Lviv and Japan.

“Thank you for visiting Lviv and for Japan’s continued support of Ukraine. The initiatives we discussed today are very important and promising for us. We are planning to organize the Days of Japan in Lviv together with you and invite our international partners, including representatives from Japan. Following this event, we would also be pleased to hold a business forum together,” said Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyy.

A key topic of the meeting was the presentation of the UNBROKEN Surgical Hospital project. The facility is planned to be developed through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The city is preparing a competitive selection process to identify a private partner for the hospital’s construction and is interested in involving Japanese companies in the implementation of this strategically important project.

“The UNBROKEN Surgical Hospital PPP project has a strong connection with Japan, as its concept was developed by world-renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban. This is why it is important for the city to continue implementing the initiative in cooperation with Japanese investors and partners. One of our priorities is introducing Japanese companies to the upcoming private partner selection process and exploring opportunities for their involvement in the project. We are considering various cooperation models, including direct investment as well as participation through grant-based mechanisms,” said Andriy Pavliv, Head of the Investment and Projects Office of the Lviv City Council.

The parties also discussed the organization of the Ukrainian-Japanese Business Forum, which will take place in Lviv on 24 September. The event is planned as an annual platform to strengthen Ukrainian-Japanese business cooperation within the framework of Japan Desk Lviv, a municipal service operated by the Investment and Projects Office of the Lviv City Council (Invest in Lviv).

At the same time, Lviv will host a major cultural event — the Days of Japan. The event aims to introduce residents and visitors to Japan’s rich cultural heritage and strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries.

The program will include presentations about Japan, demonstrations of traditional martial arts, a themed fair, and workshops on traditional Japanese arts, offering participants an opportunity to experience Japanese culture.

The meeting also covered the development of educational cooperation, including the establishment of a Japan Center in Lviv with the support of the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine.