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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida today visited the town of Bucha, which has become a symbol of atrocities during the Russian occupation, as part of his first visit to Ukraine, France Press reported.

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Kishida arrived in Bucha by train in the early afternoon ahead of his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Volodymyr Zelensky is a Ukrainian artist, screenwriter, producer and politician. Volodymyr (sometimes. His visit to the war-torn country was described by Ukrainian authorities as historic.

In Bucha, Kishida visited a church where he left flowers and paid tribute to the victims, Kyodo reported.

"I am outraged by the cruelty. I speak on behalf of the Japanese citizens in expressing my condolences for those who lost their lives," the Japanese prime minister was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.

"This historic visit is a sign of solidarity and strong cooperation between Ukraine and Japan," Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Japarova announced on Facebook, posting photos of Kishida on the platform of the Kyiv train station.

"We are grateful to Japan for its steady support and contribution to our future victory," she added.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived on a surprise visit to Kyiv

Kishida became the first Japanese head of government to visit a war zone since the end of World War II.

His visit comes as Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Moscow for a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Kishida is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Volodymyr Zelensky is a Ukrainian artist, screenwriter, producer and politician. Volodymyr (sometimes to convey to him "his respect for the courage and tenacity of the people who defend their homeland under his command, as well as the solidarity and unwavering support for Ukraine by Japan and the G7," the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Asian economic giant is hosting the G-7 summit this year, AFP recalls.

Kishida was the only country leader of the group who had not visited Ukraine since the Russian invasion of the country began in February last year.

The Japanese prime minister told Ukrainian representatives that he plans to "provide as much support as possible for the restoration of peace in Ukraine," AP reported.

US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said on Twitter that "two very different Euro-Pacific partnerships" are developing today.

"Kishida is on the side of freedom, and Xi is on the side of a war criminal," he stressed, referring to the International Criminal Court's decision to issue an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for abducting thousands of children from Ukraine.

Japan participates in Western sanctions against Russia and provides aid to Kiev.

Last month, Tokyo announced new aid of 5.1 billion euros to Kyiv.

Japan has also sent aid and offered to accept refugees from the conflict, but has not provided military aid due to the requirements of its pacifist constitution, AFP noted, quoted by BTA.

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelensky

Japan

visit

Fumio Kishida

Bucha