81 Evacuees from Ukraine Studying Japanese Language Participate in Overnight Study and Exchange EventWorkshops and cultural tours, while interacting among themselves

The Nippon Foundation is providing scholarships to Ukrainians who have evacuated to Japan to attend Japanese language schools, to enable them to acquire the Japanese language skills required to find employment that suits their individual aspirations. The Foundation recently held an overnight study and exchange event at its head office in Tokyo, with 81 scholarship recipients from across Japan attending.

The first day featured workshops with evacuees from Ukraine who are already working at companies in Japan, who talked about their experiences and gave the students an opportunity to discuss their plans and goals for the future. Ukraine’s Ambassador to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky also attended this session, and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel submitted a video message of support to the students. The two ambassadors have previously cooperated with the establishment of a fund to assist Ukrainians who have evacuated to Japan.

On the second day, the students broke out into five groups and, with the assistance of the Japanese-Ukrainian association of friendship Kraiany, took tours to experience Japanese culture while interacting with each other. These included visits to sites of The Nippon Foundation’s THE TOKYO TOILET project in Shibuya, Tokyo, hands-on demonstrations of traditional Japanese dyeing and the tea ceremony, and a visit to a modern art museum.

In a post-event questionnaire, 97% of the participants said that they were satisfied with the event and 93% replied that participating in the event had increased their desire to learn Japanese.

  • * Please refer to the following for more information regarding the scholarship program (in Japanese only)
Photo of a workshop session
The first day’s workshops provided students with an opportunity to think about their future
Photo of a group of students sightseeing
The students broke out into five groups for sightseeing in Tokyo on the second day

Comments

Ambassador of Ukraine to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky

Although one year has passed since they evacuated, few students have been able to find jobs. Language is one of the main obstacles. A year ago, The Nippon Foundation, Ambassador Emanuel, and I thought about what we could do about this. Subsequently, with the help of many people, we were able to collect sufficient funds to allow these students to study Japanese at no cost. Japanese is a difficult language, but if you can learn the language, there is much to learn from Japanese society. I hope that you will work with Japanese people to use what you have learned to benefit Ukraine. Keep studying hard and the best of luck with your job searches. Whether you stay in Japan or return to Ukraine, I hope that you will contribute to society.

PHOTO：Ambassador of Ukraine to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky

Ambassador of the United States to Japan Rahm Emanuel

Today, it’s a privilege to welcome you, the latest group of bright minds eager to immerse themselves in the rich culture, traditions, and communal spirit of Japan and begin the tough and difficult step of building their lives again. Mastering the Japanese language will be your gateway to this fascinating journey. As you embark on this new chapter of forging enduring cultural bonds between Ukraine and Japan, remember that these personal and cultural ties are threads that weave fabric of our shared strength and unity and will be with you for the rest of your life and make you stronger and therefore all of us stronger. Good luck, and remember, the most important step will be when you return home and bring your memories of Japan and the spirit of Japan back to Ukraine, building a foundation for the future.

PHOTO：Ambassador of the United States to Japan Rahm Emanuel

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Contact

Public Relations Team
The Nippon Foundation

  • Email: cc@ps.nippon-foundation.or.jp