122: One month into war, a Ukrainian family reunites in Japan w/ Kanako Takahara

March 24th marks one month since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, starting a war that has forced millions of Ukrainians to flee their country.

Kanako Takahara explains Japan's efforts to help these refugees, and why the government here isn't calling them by that name. Later in the episode, we hear the story of Maria, a 71-year-old Ukrainian woman who was reunited with her daughter Nataliia last Friday, after a six-day ordeal escaping from Ukraine to Japan.

Read more:

Tears, relief and the 'smell of Ukraine': A daughter's reunion with her mother in Japan Japan looks to offer enhanced support to help Ukrainian refugees settle Are Ukrainians who flee 'refugees' or 'evacuees'? For Japan, it's complicated.

Ukrainian support groups in Japan:

The Japan-Ukraine friendship association Japan Association for Refugees • Ukrainians in Japan Facebook group •

• Facebook group • for Ukrainians hoping to bring relatives to Japan

Sponsor:

Today’s episode is sponsored by RGF Professional Recruitment Japan, the bilingual arm of Recruit, Japan and Asia's largest recruiting and information service company. Visit RGF Professional Recruitment Japan to register your resume and unleash your potential today.

On this episode:

Kanako Takahara: Articles | Twitter

Oscar Boyd: Twitter | Articles | Instagram

Transcript:

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Photo: Ukrainian Maria Dovbash hugs her family in an emotional reunion Friday at Narita Airport after she traveled six days from her home in Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine to Japan. | Oscar Boyd