Around 80 Japanese companies considering Ukraine as potential partner – expert

Eiji Tanaka, Deputy Director General of Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, revealed in Lviv that around 80 Japanese companies are contemplating Ukraine as a potential partner, according to a report by Ukrinform. Tanaka, who led the Japanese delegation, addressed the Lviv Regional Military Administration’s Department of Agricultural and Industrial Development.

The Japanese delegation engaged with officials from the Lviv Regional Military Administration, representatives of its departments, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese Embassies in Ukraine and Poland, as well as Japanese business entities. They were provided with insights into the agricultural potential of the Lviv region, the key areas of development in the sector, and possibilities for bolstering international cooperation.

Tanaka emphasized that Japan remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine. Prior to the full-scale war, 30 Japanese firms were active in Ukraine, and despite the onset of hostilities, these companies did not abandon the market. Now, nearly 80 companies are considering Ukraine as a potential partner and aim to harness their technologies there.

Representatives of Japanese firms unveiled their Business Development Plan for Ukraine, which encompasses exporting Japanese food products such as rice, tea, snacks, and sweets; advancing composting businesses; and promoting Ukrainian agriculture through land reclamation technologies. They also suggested utilizing satellite data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to gather practical information about agricultural land.

The meeting facilitated an exchange of information about regional opportunities and Japanese business prospects, enabling the identification of promising areas for future cooperation in agricultural development, as stated by the Lviv Regional Military Administration.

The Lviv region contributes approximately 20% to the GDP of Ukraine, and it accounts for over 4.3% of Ukraine’s total gross agricultural output. The region hosts 1,443 agricultural enterprises, including 1,038 farms, and encompasses a total agricultural land area of 1.24 million hectares. In 2025, Ukraine's gross agricultural production reached UAH 52.4 billion.