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

• Portions of this news release have been deleted or edited from the originally released version to protect the personal information of people involved (September 14, 2026)

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 in July.

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.

Reference

• Reference – Q&A on Japanese Language and Employment（PDF / 141KB）