Japan Lifts 5-Year Restrictions on Ukrainian Poultry and Egg Imports

Japan has lifted a five-year ban on Ukrainian poultry, eggs, and egg products, allowing Ukrainian food producers to enter the Asian market amid growing ties between Kyiv and Tokyo during Russia's war. Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan Yurii Lutovinov announced the decision on Monday, Oct. 19, following a meeting with Eiji Tanaka, deputy director-general of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Lutovinov praised the Japanese officials for their constructive dialogue and steady cooperation, stating that this move opens new opportunities for Ukrainian producers and marks a significant step in strengthening trade and economic cooperation between the two nations. However, no information was provided about when the first shipments could begin.

The trade decision comes after several steps that have brought the two countries closer, including Japan becoming one of Ukraine's top financiers in Asia, providing over $20 billion in financial and humanitarian aid since the 2022 full-scale invasion. Other recent developments include Japan's House of Representatives Speaker Eisuke Mori becoming the first to speak in the Ukrainian parliament's plenary chamber in Ukrainian, and Japan signing a contract to buy interceptor drones from Ukrainian SkyFall.

Cooperation between the two countries is also part of Ukraine's fifth phase of the Emergency Recovery Programme, which includes a $38.5 million budget for various sectors. Despite Japan's deteriorating relations with Russia due to the war, Ukraine and Japan continue to deepen their economic and security cooperation.