Japan’s citizens taking action of solidarity to help Ukraine’s crisis

Since the Russian army invaded Ukraine on 24 February, every day is filled with worrying topics. Some civilians are dead, and more than 677 thousand Ukrainian refugees fled to neighboring countries such as Poland. Ukrainians are desperately resisting in the situation that the sovereignty and the territory are unilaterally violated by force.

Much support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people have gathered in the world. Airbnb announced that it would offer free, short-term housing to up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine. Large-scale anti-war demonstrations are being held all over the world.

Japan, as same as other countries, many actions are held. Hoping that this article uplift Ukrainians, I would like to introduce some movement of support in Japan.

2000 people protest the Russian invasion in Shibuya

As many protests were held across the world last weekend, 2000 people also gathered at Hachiko Square in front of Shibuya Station in Tokyo on Saturday. The rally ended in an hour due to too many people gathering, but after that, Ukrainians, Japanese, and Russians also raised placards and appealed for peace. A large number of people also gathered on Sunday.

On the same day, more than 100 people, mainly Russians living in Japan, gathered in front of Shinjuku Station, holding placards such as “Russians against war” and “No War.”

The Embassy of Ukraine in Japan collects about 2 billion yen

The movement of fundraising and donations is spreading. The Embassy of Ukraine in Japan posted information on where to accept donations on Twitter. The tweet has collected 145,000 retweets and 326,000 likes as of 9:00 am on March 2. It twittered about 2 billion yen donated already.

ウクライナを応援したい方々用に、寄付金を送金できる銀口口座の詳細を更新いたします。以下になります。

三菱UFJ 銀行
広尾支店　047
普通
口座番号0972597
エンバシーオブウクライナ

ご応援、どうもありがとうございます。

— 在日ウクライナ大使館 (@UKRinJPN) February 25, 2022

Various fundraising reception platforms have also started. Rakuten, an electronic commerce company, is conducting donations for Ukraine humanitarian aid, which can also be raised using Rakuten points. It collected 261 million yen (as of 9:00 am on March 2.)

Yahoo! JAPAN, an internet company, is also conducting an online fundraising platform, in which ADRA Japan collected more than 56 million yen (as of 9:00 am on March 2.)

In addition, JPF, a platform for Japanese NPOs and NGOs, is collecting information, investigates support needs, and confirms procurement of supplies.

Rakuten offers free “Viber” for Ukrainians

Companies have started the support. Rakuten is working to provide free voice calls to landlines and mobile phones with “Viber” so that people can communicate with their Ukrainian families . On February 27, Rakuten Group Chairman and President Hiroshi Mikitani also announced on his Twitter account that he would donate 1 billion yen to Ukraine.

A chopstick maker in Kumamoto will donate all sales amount

Yamachiku, a chopstick maker in Kumamoto, started selling chopsticks whose sales would donate for peace in Ukraine. They think, “Our life is based on peace. Therefore, wishing for peace and making efforts to realize it is the most basic mission as a business person.” The proceeds will be donated through the “Embassy of Ukraine in Japan.” 150 sets of the chopsticks were already sold out in 2 hours from the sales start, and they will donate the sales of 150,000 yen and the donation from them.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building light up

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building has also begun displaying the colors of the Ukrainian flag, to last for a week until March 6.

This is to show cooperation with Ukraine and will be held for a week from 6 p.m. on the 28th to March 6th. Governor Koike strongly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying that it is nothing but a challenge to democracy.

The people of Japan wishes peace for Ukraine

Many Japanese people feel that the situation is not someone else’s business, watch the situation carefully, and are looking for anything to do. Even if you feel that there is little you can do, I believe that expanding the circle of support in this way will trigger something to change.

Peace to Ukraine. Slava Ukraini.