Japan Welcomes Wounded Ukrainian Soldiers for Prosthetic Treatment

Two Ukrainian soldiers have arrived in Japan for rehabilitation and prosthetic treatment at the hospital of the National Defense Medical College of Japan’s Ministry of Defense.

The Embassy of Japan in Ukraine reported the arrival, noting that the soldiers are accompanied by the members of the Japan-Ukraine Friendship Association. They are expected to remain in Japan for approximately three months as part of their recovery and treatment.

This became possible thanks to the expansion of the aid program for Ukrainian soldiers, announced in February.

In addition to the rehabilitation treatment of the wounded Ukrainian soldiers at the Central Hospital of the Self-Defense Forces, the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces are now also providing rehabilitation treatment for the wounded Ukrainian soldiers at the hospital of the National Defense Medical College of Japan’s Ministry of Defense.

The Ukrainians who arrived for treatment have become the first Ukrainian soldiers to receive care at this hospital.

Japan has been treating Ukrainian soldiers since June 2023. At that time, the first two Ukrainian soldiers arrived in Japan for treatment at the Japan Self-Defense Forces Hospital in Tokyo.

This marked the first time Japan has provided medical treatment to wounded foreign soldiers.

In related news, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has announced plans to establish four interregional rehabilitation centers for military personnel.

The Recovery and Health Centers initiative involves the creation of a chain of modern military-medical rehabilitation and mental health centers in Ukraine.

“The Ministry of Defence is launching a large-scale project to create a chain of military-medical rehabilitation and mental health centers. By the end of 2025, the Ministry of Defence will establish four interregional rehabilitation centers that will be able to accommodate up to 1,730 military personnel at the same time,” Serhii Melnyk reported.

The rehabilitation initiative will include medical treatment, physiotherapy, psychotherapy, support for military families, and social adaptation. Additionally, a series of training courses for medical personnel will be launched on the online platforms Reserve+ and Army+ to help them effectively work with military personnel who have PTSD.