The Nippon Foundation to Support Ukrainian Evacuees Wishing to Return Home to Live with Husbands, Parents (2)

Two Ukrainian ladies living in Japan joined the press conference on February 21 by Executive Director Jumpei Sasakawa of The Nippon Foundation to provide an update on its support for Ukrainian evacuees ahead of the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Ms. Yuliia Boiarchuk, who came to Japan in September 2022 with her husband and is living in Tokyo, said: “My husband is originally from Donetsk, and has not seen his family for more than 10 years. He has no place to return to. I hope that we can live together in Japan for as long as possible.”

Asked what she wanted to do in Japan, she said: “I attend a Japanese language school and want to improve my Japanese language ability. I want to be a bridge between Ukraine and Japan. I hope that there is something I can do that will benefit both Japan and Ukraine.”

Ms. Olesandra Godenko, who also came to Japan in September 2022 and is living in Osaka Prefecture in western Japan, said she intends to return to Ukraine to care for her ailing mother.

“When I first arrived in Japan in September 2022, I was scared. I was far from home and did not know what was going to happen. Now I am working in a sushi chain restaurant. During my time here, I have been able to make Japanese friends and I have come to like Japan, so I will miss Japan and my friends here when I leave.”

“I want The Nippon Foundation to know that I am very grateful for their support for people who wish to return,” she added.

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