The war in Ukraine has been immense in scale and devastating to the country. As it enters its second year, Ukrainians have stepped up to fill the technology gap Japan is facing, proving just how strong and resilient they are. Read on to find out more about this amazing technological success story and what it means for Japan.
Introduction: Japan’s Technology Gap
It’s been two years since the start of the war in Ukraine, and despite heavy fighting in the east, the country has made significant progress in reforming its armed forces. One of the key areas of reform has been closing the technology gap with NATO countries, particularly in terms of ground-based air defense.
In the early days of the conflict, Ukrainian forces were quickly outmatched by Russian-backed separatists, who had access to more sophisticated air defense systems. But over the past two years, Ukraine has worked to close that gap—and it’s been helped by some unlikely partners.
One such partner is Japan. Although Japan is not a member of NATO, it has been a major supplier of military equipment to Ukraine. In particular, Japanese companies have supplied Ukraine with radar systems that have proved vital in detecting and tracking Russian drones.
The Japanese radar systems are just one example of how Ukraine is closing its technology gap with NATO countries. With continued assistance from partners like Japan, Ukraine will be able to further improve its defenses and better protect its people from Russian aggression.
Impact of War on Ukraine
In the second year of the war, Ukraine is stepping up to close the technology gap with Japan.
The conflict in Ukraine has been devastating for the country, but it has also created opportunities for Ukrainian companies to step in and provide much-needed goods and services. One area where Ukrainian firms are making inroads is in the technology sector.
While Japan has long been a world leader in technology, the country has been lagging behind in recent years. This has created an opportunity for Ukrainian companies to fill the void.
One company that is taking advantage of this opportunity is Quba Systems, which provides software development and other IT services. Quba was founded in 2014, just as the war began, and it has since grown to become one of the leading tech firms in Ukraine.
Quba’s success is due in part to its focus on serving Japanese clients. The company has a team of Japanese-speaking salespeople and engineers, and it has established partnerships with Japanese firms.
As a result of these efforts, Quba was named one of Forbes’s “30 Under 30” list of European entrepreneurs in 2018. The company is now planning to expand its operations into Japan itself.
Other Ukrainian companies are also finding success in catering to the Japanese market. Daxx, another IT firm, was founded in 2000 and now employs over 250 people. Daxx counts Japanese firms like Rakuten and Mercari among its clients.
The war in Ukraine
Ukrainians Helping to Fill Japanese Tech Gap
As the war in Ukraine enters its second year, Ukrainians are helping to fill Japan’s technology gap.
Japanese companies are increasingly turning to Ukraine for assistance in developing new technology. This is due in part to the country’s skilled workforce and its lower cost of labor. But it is also because of the growing perception that Ukrainians are more innovative and creative than their counterparts in other countries.
One Japanese company that has been working with Ukrainian developers is Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation. The company has a team of Ukrainian engineers working on a new process for manufacturing steel. The project is expected to save the company millions of dollars and help it stay competitive in the global market.
Other Japanese firms are also finding success collaborating with Ukrainian developers. For example, Rakuten, Japan’s largest e-commerce company, has hired several Ukrainians to work on its new mobile payment system. And Dentsu, Japan’s largest advertising agency, has set up a joint venture with a Ukrainian firm to create an advertising platform for the Russian market.
The trend of Japanese companies outsourcing development work to Ukraine is likely to continue as the war in Ukraine drags on. With no end in sight to the conflict, many Ukrainians are likely to find themselves working for Japanese firms for years to come.
Challenges Faced by Ukrainian Tech Workers
Ukraine is one of the world’s largest technology outsourcing destinations. But the country’s ongoing war with Russia has created new challenges for Ukrainian tech workers.
Since the start of the conflict in 2014, more than 1.6 million Ukrainians have been internally displaced, according to the UN Refugee Agency. Many of those people are skilled tech workers who have left their jobs in Ukraine’s major cities to seek safety elsewhere in the country.
This brain drain has had a significant impact on Ukraine’s tech sector. With fewer workers available, companies are struggling to find the talent they need to maintain and grow their businesses. And as more workers leave Ukraine, the country’s overall competitiveness in the global tech market is diminishing.
The conflict has also made it difficult for Ukrainian tech companies to do business with international clients. With fighting ongoing in parts of the country, firms have had to deal with power outages, internet disruptions, and other infrastructure issues. And because of Crimea’s annexation by Russia, many firms have lost access to important markets and suppliers in that region.
All of these challenges have made it difficult for Ukraine’s tech sector to thrive amid an otherwise booming global market for outsourced tech services. But despite all the obstacles, Ukrainian firms have so far been able to weather the storm and remain an important player in the global industry.
Differences in Cultures, Languages and Business Practices
Japan has long been considered a world leader in technology, but recent years have seen the country fall behind in some areas. One of those areas is the development of artificial intelligence (AI). As the second year of war against Ukrainian forces continues, Japan is moving to close its AI technology gap by enlisting the help of Ukrainians.
In May 2015, Japan and Ukraine signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of AI. The agreement calls for the two countries to work together on research and development, as well as exchange information and best practices. The partnership is already bearing fruit, with Ukrainian AI experts helping their Japanese counterparts develop new algorithms and software.
The cooperation between Japan and Ukraine is part of a broader trend of Japanese companies seeking out Ukrainian talent to fill gaps in their own workforce. This is due in part to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has led to a brain drain as many skilled workers have fled the country. But it also reflects a recognition by Japanese firms that Ukrainians are often more affordable and just as qualified as their counterparts from developed countries.
One area where Ukrainians are helping Japan close its technology gap is driverless cars. In 2016, a team of Ukrainian engineers helped Toyota develop a prototype driverless car that was successfully tested on public roads in Japan. The car uses sensors and cameras to navigate without human input, and can even park itself. Toyota plans to begin selling driverless cars within the next few years, and it expects Ukrainians will play a key
Benefits for Both Sides
The war in Ukraine has created a technology gap in Japan. Ukrainians have been coming to Japan to work in the tech sector for the past two years. This has created opportunities for both sides.
The Japanese side has been able to get access to skilled workers at a time when the country is facing a rapidly aging population. The Ukrainian side has been able to get access to high-paying jobs and experience working in one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world.
There are benefits for both sides in this arrangement. The Japanese side gets access to skilled workers, and the Ukrainian side gets access to high-paying jobs and experience working in a technologically advanced country.
How the Tech Gap is Narrowing
When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Ukraine inherited a massive military-industrial complex. For the first 25 years of independence, Ukraine sold its Soviet-era weapons abroad and kept up its own defense capabilities. But since the 2014 war with Russia began, Ukraine has had to find new ways to defend itself.
Ukraine has had to relearn how to make its own weapons and equipment, and it has been helped by individuals with experience in the West. One such person is Mykhailo Bnoi, who founded the company Polytechnika in 2009. Bnoi’s company manufactures parts for drone aircraft and other high-tech equipment.
Bnoi is just one example of how Ukrainians are helping to close the technology gap between their country and the rest of the world. The war has spurred a wave of innovation in Ukraine, as people have turned their attention to developing new technologies that can be used for defense purposes.
In addition to Polytechnika, there are now dozens of companies in Ukraine that are focused on developing military technologies. This newfound sector is not only helping to improve Ukraine’s defense capabilities, but it is also providing jobs and stimulating economic growth.
Conclusion
Japan’s technology gap is quickly shrinking as Ukrainians come in to fill the void left behind by two years of war. Ukraine’s strong education system and access to sophisticated technology has given Japan a powerful resource, allowing them to keep up with the advancements of other industrialized countries around the world. This combination of Ukrainian know-how and Japanese investment is sure to create some incredible opportunities for both sides in the near future. With this partnership, Japan will be able to bridge its own technological gap and move forward into a sustainable era with modernized infrastructure and advanced techniques.
