Japan

The lack of qualified specialists trained to work with the equipment at the russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant threatens to worsen the situation, as Ukrainian personnel have been suspended from work.

In fiscal 2023, Toyota achieved record global vehicle sales of 10. 31 million units, surpassing the 10 million mark for the first time, thanks to increased sales abroad, particularly of hybrid models in North America and Europe.

Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Iryna Mudra met with Ambassador of Japan Kuninori Matsuda to discuss strengthening cooperation in bringing Russia to justice for its aggression against Ukraine, including the establishment of an international special tribunal for the crime of aggression and the confiscation of frozen Russian assets.

Russia vetoes a UN resolution banning nuclear weapons in space, contradicting Putin's statements that he has no intention of putting nuclear weapons into orbit.

russia is expected to veto a UN resolution aimed at preventing the deployment of weapons of mass destruction in space, despite the broad support of other members of the Security Council.

North Korea launches an unidentified ballistic missile toward the East Sea, the first such launch since testing a new hypersonic missile.

The United States and the Philippines have launched the annual Balikatan 2024 military exercise involving 16,000 troops practicing information warfare, maritime security, and integrated air and missile defense tactics amid rising tensions in the region.

One person is killed and seven are missing after two Japanese military helicopters collide and crash in the Pacific Ocean.

The documentary In Search of Nika, about Russia's crimes against animals during its invasion of Ukraine, premiered on April 19 and will be available on YouTube in Ukraine.

The United States is looking for new ways to tighten sanctions against North Korea after Russia and China disrupted UN monitoring efforts. Meanwhile, North Korea has criticized the US ambassador's trip to Asia aimed at strengthening sanctions, calling it a "beggar's tour.

The G7 countries expressed their determination to strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities and to work with partners to achieve this goal, praising Germany's Immediate Action Initiative, while reaffirming their commitment to Ukraine's long-term security and providing military, financial and other support.

Andriy Sybiga thanked Japan for its unwavering support and $12 billion in aid to Ukraine during a meeting with Japanese Ambassador Matsuda Kuninori.

According to EU diplomat Josep Borrell, in the coming days, concrete decisions are to be made on sending more air defense systems to Ukraine.

Kuleba met with the Japanese Foreign Minister to discuss the development of a global partnership aimed at economic recovery, energy stability and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

Blinken will attend a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Capri to discuss support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's war, the crisis in the Middle East, and deepening global partnership.

Russia's Su-27SM3, Su-30SM, Su-34, Su-35S, and Su-57 fighters contain more than 2,000 foreign-made electronic components from the United States, Japan, and other countries that are used in navigation, guidance, and communication systems, despite the sanctions.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will visit Italy to participate in the G7 ministerial meeting and hold bilateral talks aimed at obtaining additional air defense systems and weapons for Ukraine.

The meeting of the G7 foreign ministers will focus on calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, reducing tensions between Israel and Iran, and reaffirming full support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

Iran fired about 300 drones, ballistic and cruise missiles toward Israel, which intercepted about 99% of them, in response to an alleged Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria that killed senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, prompting G7 leaders to condemn Iran's actions and warn of the risk of uncontrolled regional escalation.

Ukraine takes the lead against Romania after the first day of qualifying for the Billie Jean King Cup tennis tournament, with Elina Svitolina and Lesia Tsurenko winning their singles matches.

Umerov discussed the situation at the front and the urgent military needs of the Ukrainian army with Japanese Defense Minister Kihara, thanking Japan for its comprehensive support against Russian aggression.

The NBU devalues the hryvnia against the US dollar and the euro.

Biden reaffirmed the US defense commitments to the Philippines and Japan, saying that any attack on Philippine forces in the South China Sea would lead to the strengthening of their mutual defense treaty.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will address the U. S. Congress to call for continued military assistance to Ukraine and emphasize the importance of a strong U.S.-Japanese partnership.

Japan and the United States signed agreements to strengthen security and military cooperation, including joint development of defense equipment, new military command and control systems, modernization of defense communications networks, cooperation in air defense, as well as the creation of a working group for fighter pilot training and joint development of a jet simulator.

Japan plans to increase its contribution to humanitarian demining in Ukraine and to facilitate the entry of Japanese companies, including Nikken Corporation, which specializes in the production of demining machines, into the Ukrainian market to invest in Ukraine's economic development.

In 2024, Ukraine received $10. 2 billion in external financing from international partners, including the US, EU, Japan, Canada, IMF, UK, and Norway.

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian military has shot down more than 9,000 Russian drones, including Iranian Shaheed-136 drones assembled in Russia from components from the United States, Canada, and Japan.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba thanked Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Yoko Kamikawa for Japan's continued support for Ukraine and discussed ways to promote the Peace Formula, strengthen bilateral cooperation and enhance the Distinctive Global Partnership between the two countries.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that Russia's attack on Ukraine, as well as the situation in the Middle East and East Asia, requires changes in the country's policy. Geopolitical tensions have pushed the world to a "historic turning point" and forced Japan to change its defense strategy.