TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio met with popular Ukrainian singer Tina Karol at the prime minister’s office on Monday, vowing continued support for her home country, which is under Russian invasion.

“We’ll continue efforts to protect peace, together with the people of Ukraine,” Kishida said at the meeting.

Karol thanked Japan for its assistance so far and requested fresh support from the nation.

After the meeting, Karol said that she is fighting on the cultural frontline, promoting her country to the world. She stressed that Ukraine will not give its land up to anyone.

The same day, Karol held a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan in the Japanese capital, noting that her weapon is music.

Pointing out that Russia has suggested that it may use nuclear weapons against Ukraine, Karol said that she believes the people of Japan must feel strongly against the use of such weapons again.

On Sunday, she visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in the western Japan city of Hiroshima, which was devastated by US atomic bombing in the closing days of World War II.

Monday’s press conference was also attended by Rakuten Group Inc. CEO Hiroshi Mikitani, who helped her visit to Japan, as well as Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky.

Korsunsky said Ukraine needs to have the world listen to not only its government but also those involved in the country’s culture.

JIJI Press