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The 20, ranging in age from 6 to 66, usually are not the primary Ukrainians to reach since Russia attacked their nation on Feb. 24 however they have been the primary to return on a particular authorities aircraft on a visit organized by Japan’s overseas minister.
“The federal government of Japan is dedicated to supply the utmost assist to those 20 Ukrainians to assist them reside with a way of peace in Japan,” the minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi, mentioned in Poland shortly earlier than he and the refugees set off for Japan.
Hayashi, who had been in Poland assessing the refugee state of affairs, arrived in Tokyo on a separate flight shortly earlier than the 20 landed.
Nationwide broadcaster NHK televised their arrival reside.
The 20 be a part of about 400 different Ukrainian refugees already in Japan. Officers haven’t mentioned if Japan will lay on extra particular flights or what number of refugees may be allowed in.
Ethnically homogeneous Japan has lengthy been cautious of migrants regardless of an ageing inhabitants and labor scarcity however opinion polls present almost 90% of individuals assist taking in Ukrainian refugees and support teams say the federal government has moved with unprecedented velocity to assist.
Cities have provided lodging, corporations have promised jobs and monetary assist and a few residents have provided rooms of their houses.
In 2020, Japan acknowledged solely 47 refugees and admitted one other 44 for “humanitarian causes” – lower than 1 % of complete candidates.
Public response
Staunch U.S. ally Japan has condemned Russia’s assault of Ukraine and utilized varied sanctions although it has not given up stakes in Russian fuel initiatives.
The welcome additionally seems to be, at the very least partly, as a result of the Ukrainians are from Europe, refugee advocates say.
“Many callers say they will solely assist Ukrainians. Some point out their race or say ‘refugees from different international locations are a bit harmful’,” mentioned Ayako Niijima, of the Japan Affiliation for Refugees, referring to phone calls from the general public providing assist.
There was no such public response final 12 months for refugees from Afghanistan or Myanmar, she added.
Tuesday’s flight helps Kishida, who faces an necessary higher home of parliament election in June, look decisive within the eyes of overseas allies and voters, mentioned Airo Hino, a professor at Tokyo’s Waseda College.
“They need to showcase what Japan is doing – one thing that makes a pleasant image,” he mentioned.
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