Japan’s <i>diplomacy of sympathy</i> towards Ukraine 2022–2024

The full-scale aggression of Russia against Ukraine in February 2022 and the destruction that followed in the aftermath have prompted multiple stakeholders to express their sympathy towards the victimised country, including Japan. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, Japan has been an important supporter of Ukraine and played a key role in maintaining international attention on the ongoing conflict. This article investigates how Japan engaged in diplomacy of sympathy towards Ukraine between 2022 and 2024. It explores both symbolic and tangible expressions of support to demonstrate that, in the wake of 2022 Russian aggression, Japan has provided an unprecedented level of backing to Ukraine, utilising emotionally-rich language to both condemn the aggressor and recognise the perseverance of the victim, as well as extending substantial financial help to Ukraine. The article elucidates that Japan’s actions have contributed to enacting their role of principled defender of the rules-based world order, improving the country’s standing in Central and Eastern Europe and stimulating a domestic discussion on desirable societal reactions in the event of conflict.