TOKYO: Japanese officials met Monday to discuss ways to reconstruct the economy of war-torn Ukraine, including its infrastructure and industries.

“Reconstruction is a pillar of Japan’s unique contribution,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at the meeting.

“The future of a free and open international order based on the rule of law depends on the reconstruction of Ukraine,” he added.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a press conference that the government has invited Ukrainian officials to Japan so that they can learn know-how on reconstruction.

During their stay in Japan between Sunday and May 26, the Ukrainian officials are slated to visit Tokyo, Kanagawa, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo and Hiroshima prefectures to hear experiences from local officials in reconstruction from natural disasters.

When Kishida made a surprise visit to Ukraine in March, he told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he would promote Japanese investment to support Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.