Approximately 100 attendees gathered at a recent event in the Japanese parliament, including former lawmakers, political figures, experts, members of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, business representatives, media, and ordinary citizens.
The event was organized by Takeuki Tanaka, a historian and head of the Japan-Russia Friendship Association. During his presentation, Tanaka discussed his visit to the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as the “unconstitutional coup in Ukraine in February 2014.”
A Russian envoy also spoke at the gathering, promoting a narrative that emphasized the “root causes of the conflict” and alleged “crimes by the Ukrainian government against civilians.”
The Ukrainian Embassy in Japan responded by confirming that the event aimed to spread disinformation and manipulative narratives regarding Ukraine under the guise of an “expert” discussion.
Ukrainian diplomats acknowledged that such initiatives are private and do not reflect the official stance of the Japanese government. However, they expressed concern over the use of symbols from self-proclaimed republics as part of Russian propaganda and called for appropriate political and legal evaluations of such actions.
“Truth and international law must remain the foundation of public discussions, especially regarding the war initiated by Russia against Ukraine,” the embassy emphasized.
Japan has been a key partner for Ukraine in Asia, consistently supporting it since the onset of the full-scale invasion. Tokyo has imposed sanctions on Russia, provided financial and humanitarian aid, and participated in international efforts for Ukraine’s recovery.
In October 2025, President Volodymyr Zelensky invited Japan’s new Prime Minister to visit Kyiv, aiming to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly in defense.
Additionally, media reports indicate that Japan plans to join the PURL (Priority List of Ukraine’s Needs) initiative, which will expedite the delivery of critically needed military supplies.
A recent event in Japan's parliament, featuring pro-Russian narratives, has drawn a strong diplomatic response from Ukraine, emphasizing the need for truthful discourse. Japan's ongoing support for Ukraine remains steadfast amid these developments.