1 Year After Russian Invasion, Evacuees from Ukraine Discuss Their State of MindBelieving in a bright future, like plum trees blossoming in spring

Ahead of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, four of the 1,921 Ukrainian evacuees to Japan receiving support for travel and living expenses from The Nippon Foundation gathered on February 20 to discuss the issues they currently face in Japan and their thoughts regarding their home country.

The Nippon Foundation will use the first-hand discussions with these four evacuees, together with the results of a wider survey of Ukrainian evacuees in Japan, in its activities going forward to provide support that continues to be closely aligned with their actual needs. Specifically, the Foundation intends in particular to strengthen its support for Japanese language studies and employment for those wishing to reside in Japan for an extended period, while continuing to offer the emergency support for daily living already being carried out.
Prior to the February 20 interview session, questions were submitted by the media and each interviewee provided their response as follows.

Olha Vdovenko

Arrived in Japan in March 2022 and gave birth to a girl at a hospital in Chiba Prefecture on July 28.

Q1: Who did you come to Japan with, who did you live with in Ukraine, and what was your life like there?

Before the invasion, I lived in Ukraine with my husband and our three-year-old son. It was a very ordinary life; I had a family, I worked, and my son went to day care. My mother-in-law had a sibling living in Japan, so we turned to them and one month after the invasion my mother-in-law, my son, and I came to Japan.

Q2: One year after the invasion, how has your mental state changed compared with when you first arrived?

When the full-scale invasion initially began, like many other Ukrainians I was shocked beyond words. Immediately after I arrived in Japan, I realized that the language, culture, and customs were completely different from those of Ukraine and getting adjusted would require time. I was constantly thinking about my husband in Ukraine, and wanted to go back there. I was pregnant at the time, however, and needed to be in Japan where it was safe. It took me about six months to get used to life in Japan, and now I feel mostly comfortable and safe.

Q3: What have been the most difficult and the most enjoyable things about your life in Japan?

The most difficult thing was the Japanese language, because it is so different from English and European languages. I have become pretty much used to everything else. The enjoyable thing is taking care of my children and studying Japanese, which takes my mind off other things.

Q4: What is the biggest challenge you face now? What kind of support would you like the most from the Japanese people around you?

When I initially decided to come to Japan, I thought that Japan was far away from Ukraine and there would be no support for me here, so honestly I didn’t have any expectations. After arriving, however, I was surprised to receive more support than I had expected. The support I am receiving now is sufficient. Whenever I tell someone here that I am from Ukraine, everyone offers to help me. The support from The Nippon Foundation has also been more than I expected.

Q5: Did you have a reason for choosing to come to Japan rather than another country?

I thought that because I was pregnant, it would be better to go somewhere where I knew someone I could rely on. I didn’t know anyone in Europe, so the fact that my mother-in-law’s sibling was in Japan was a major factor. At first I had trouble deciding because Japan is so far from Ukraine, but I knew I would not be able to work for a while after giving birth and needed to raise my children in a safe environment, so I choose Japan for its safety.

Q6: Do you want to go back to Ukraine soon?

When I had just arrived last year, I wanted to go back as soon as possible. Then, gradually, I thought I would stay until the fall, or maybe a bit longer. Right now I have no desire to return immediately to Ukraine, and would like to stay in Japan until at least the end of this year. I’ve come to think that for the time being, it is better to live here, so I am studying Japanese and getting used to living in Japan.

Igor Kulemza and Vira Rubezhanska

Husband and wife arrived in Japan in May 2022. Both are retired, and their guarantor is their daughter, who lives in Japan.

Q1: Who did you come to Japan with, who did you live with in Ukraine, and what was your life like there?

Igor (husband): We came from Kyiv. In Kyiv, we lived with our son and grandchild.
Now, our son and grandchild are in the local defense corps. I wanted to join as well but was told I am too old. We came to Japan because our daughter (guarantor) is here, and she told us it is safe.

Q2: One year after the invasion, how has your mental state changed compared with when you first arrived?

Vira (wife): First, we were able to come to a safe place. We are grateful to everyone at The Nippon Foundation. When we first arrived in Japan I felt like I was in the middle of a big ocean. I didn’t know which direction to turn. At first I became very scared when I heard an ambulance or other siren, because I thought it was an air raid warning. Now I am more cheerful. At first I didn’t know things that Japanese people take for granted, like what to buy at the store and how to separate trash. Now I am especially enthused about studying Japanese, and feel very relieved.

Q3: What have been the most difficult and the most enjoyable things about your life in Japan?

Vira: Now, as Olha said, the most difficult thing is the Japanese language. I also become somewhat anxious when I cannot communicate as I’d like to. People our age need to study. I want to study Japanese more.
The most enjoyable thing is learning new Japanese (hiragana) characters, and seeing them on television or on the subway and being able to read them. That makes me very happy. I’ve also started making women’s accessories, and I enjoy doing that.

Q4: What kinds of support do you want from Japanese society?

Igor: First, we are grateful to The Nippon Foundation for their support. What we are receiving is sufficient, and we do not ask for anything more. Please thank Chairman Sasakawa. The Foundation understands evacuees’ situation, and we are receiving the support we need. There is a saying in Ukraine, “Some people search for the truth, and some people give the truth.”
I believe Mr. Sasakawa’s actions of giving support rather than searching for ways to do so is giving the truth.

Q5: Do you have a concrete plan for your lives going forward in the event the conflict becomes prolonged?

Vira: Of course we want the war to end as quickly as possible. If it does last longer, I would like to stay in Japan and study, to become able to communicate in Japanese. I also want to continue making women’s accessories.
When we return to Ukraine, I would like to tell people about the omotenashi hospitality we received in Japan.

Q6: Do you want to go back to Ukraine soon?

We came to Japan because that is what our children recommended. We will go back when our children decide it is safe. My feeling right now is like a haiku poem by Matsuo Basho, spring has come and the plum trees are blossoming; in other words, I believe the future is bright.

Yuliia Vatsyk

Arrived in Japan in October 2022, studying philosophy as a research student at the University of Tsukuba

Q1: What kind of research are you doing at university, who did you come to Japan with, who did you live with in Ukraine, and what was your life like there?

I was studying philosophy at graduate school in Ukraine, and came to Japan at the invitation of the University of Tsukuba. I was living with my fiancé in Ukraine, but unfortunately, I came to Japan by myself.

Q2: One year after the invasion, how has your mental state changed compared with when you first arrived?

I realized that no matter how serious the situation becomes, the feeling in Ukraine would remain positive. I was homesick immediately after I came to Japan, however. I was saddened by the fact that Ukraine is at war, and my friends, family, and fiancé are in Ukraine. It probably also had something to do with being on my own. A few days ago, I realized that I no longer notice the sound of airplanes. It happened without my being aware of it. Now I’m not afraid of airplanes at all.

Q3: What have been the most difficult and the most enjoyable things about your life in Japan?

The language is the biggest difficulty. But the enjoyable things more than make up for that. I like to talk, so what makes me the most happy is the fact that even though the University of Tsukuba is in Japan, there are many students from other countries, and we can think of ways to overcome the language issue. An anime club has been started at the university, and I am going to study Japanese through anime.

Q4: What support are you receiving from your local government, and are you satisfied?

In addition to The Nippon Foundation, I am receiving much support from the university. Free tuition is a big help. There are 40 Ukrainian students at the university, so that is major support. There is also a place called Student Support, which feels like a family and helps me to relax mentally. At Christmastime, I also received support from students in the tennis and gardening clubs. I was happy to receive this support in the form of something other than money. It was fun to buy a cake and eat it together.

Q5: Do you want to go back to Ukraine soon?

If I were to get the news now that the war in Ukraine is over, I would take the next flight to Europe. Don’t get me wrong – I love Japan and am truly grateful for my life here and the support I’ve received – but I want to go back because my life and my family are in Ukraine.

Interviewees

Name	Situation
Ohla Vdovenko Bohdana (daughter)	Arrived in Japan in March 2022 while five months pregnant (Native of Kyiv, living in Chiba Prefecture) With the recent birth of her daughter, is unable to work. Studying Japanese twice a week, for one hour each time with one hour in person and one hour online, and also studying on her own.
Igor Kulemza (husband) Vira Rubezhanska (wife)	Arrived in Japan in May 2022 (Natives of Kyiv, living in Tokyo) Both are retired, and are currently living with their daughter. Feeling that language is an issue, studying Japanese two to four hours every day.
Yulia Vatsyk	Came to Japan in October 2022 (Native of Kyiv, living in Ibaraki Prefecture) Research student at University of Tsukuba, has little time to study Japanese but is studying two to four hours per week. Focused on her studies, does not have time to work.