OREANDA-NEWS. January 18, 2011. Chaired by President Viktor Yanukovych and Prime Minister of Japan Naoto Kan, the Ukrainian-Japanese negotiations were held in Tokyo.

"We are interested in developing the highest level political dialogue between Ukraine and Japan,” Viktor Yanukovych said at the beginning of the negotiations. “I hope our meeting will give a new impetus and open a new chapter in the relations between our countries,” he added.

He stressed that the Ukrainian side is interested in the dialogue with Japan being systematic and regular.

For his part, speaking about the prospects of partnership relations between Ukraine and Japan, Prime Minister Naoto Kan noted the significant potential of our country's agricultural sector. "Therefore, Ukraine is a very important friendly state for Japan," the Prime Minister said.

Naoto Kan also noted that as a country that survived the nuclear bombing, Japan highly appreciates Ukraine's voluntary renunciation of nuclear weapons.

"Ukraine has an important geopolitical position between the European Union and Russia. Given this, I sincerely wish your country to develop as a democratic state," the Prime Minister of Japan said.