Among the Ukrainians who wish to evacuate to Japan, there are also people who have no relatives or acquaintances in Japan, and how to support housing and education is an issue. increase.
Jevhenia Defcharenko and her son Timur (13), who lived in Odesa, southern Ukraine, have been evacuating to France since early March.
I have no relatives or acquaintances in Japan, but Timuru is a big fan of manga and is also interested in Japanese culture and history, so I hope to evacuate to Japan.
After wishing to evacuate to Japan, parents and children receive online advice on procedures at the consulate from the family of Hiroki Matsumiya of Hachioji City, Tokyo, whom they met through the Internet.
Mr. Matsumiya had the experience of interacting with refugees who had been displaced from their hometown due to the Bosnian conflict while studying abroad in Australia when he was a student. I want to do it.
Even after parents and children come to Japan, we plan to support them in finding a place to live and transferring to a school.
Many Ukrainians who have already evacuated to Japan are thought to have relatives or have decided where to accept them, such as universities.
The government has a policy of providing lump-sum payments and employment support to refugees who have no relatives, but the specific form of support for living in Japan is an issue.
"I really like Japan, I love Japanese, history, and culture. I want to spend the rest of my life in Japan," said Timuru, who was interviewed by NHK online.
"If you go to Japan, you'll know what choices are best for us," said her mother, Yevhenia. "I want my boy to go to a Japanese school or university."
Mr. Matsumiya says, "I think it is very stressful and anxious to evacuate with children. I want to support them so that they can live independently in Japan."