According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the number of people who fled Ukraine following the Russian invasion exceeded 3.5 million as of March 21. Efforts are underway in Japan to support the refugees by securing housing and other livelihood assistance, as well as by setting up a consultation service for evacuation of relatives and other matters. The following is a summary of the details at this stage.

 

 

Measures for Ukrainians living in Japan whose visas are about to expire

 

For Ukrainians living in Japan who do not wish to return to Ukraine, Japan will accommodate them so that they can remain in Japan after the expiration of their visa (status of residence).

Those who have received a deportation order but do not wish to return yet will not be required to return to Ukraine. Until the situation in Ukraine stabilizes, Japan will continue to take this action. Those who wish to continue to live in Japan should consult with their local immigration office.

 

 

Visa for evacuees from Ukraine

Japan opens its doors to Ukrainians as part of its humanitarian response. The Immigration Bureau has made it possible for Ukrainian nationals who have taken refuge in Japan under the status of residence “Temporary Visitor” from Ukraine to switch to a “Designated Activity visa (1 year)” if they wish to continue living in Japan. You can work with that status of residence (visa).

 

You can consult with the FRESC.

українська мова

Довідкова служба FRESC, яка проводить консультації для людей, які евакуювалися з України до Японії через нещодавнє загострення ситуації в Україні.

◆ Час консультації
・ З 9:00 до 17:00

◆ Номер телефону　0120-76-2029　(безкоштовний номер, безкоштовна розмова)

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/support/fresc/ukraine_support.html

 

 

Support from Tokyo, Chiba and Kanagawa Prefectures

 

Tokyo

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) has announced support measures, including the provision of 100 metropolitan housing units for the time being to accommodate evacuees from Ukraine. The number of housing will be expanded to a maximum of 700 units in the future.

The evacuees will stay at a hotel in Tokyo for about two weeks after their arrival, and the TMG will listen to their living needs and introduce them to TMG housing if they wish. The TMG will also provide clothing and other daily necessities.

A telephone consultation service is also available in four languages (Japanese, English, Russian, and Ukrainian).

 

Details for telephone consultation service

https://tabunka.tokyo-tsunagari.or.jp/info/2022/03/post-86.html

 

Chiba

 

Chiba City has prepared 16 municipal housing units and plans to expand them as needed. A hotel will be provided as a temporary accommodation facility until the new residents move in.

A consultation service will be provided at the Chiba City International Association. The program is open to evacuees from Ukraine, as well as Ukrainians and Russians living in the city. It will be a one-stop shop for consultations on evacuation and living in the city, in both Japanese and English. In the future, the service will also be available in Ukrainian and Russian.

Chiba City International Association

 

Narita City and Inzai City have also officially announced their support.
Chiba Prefecture is also making preparations as a prefecture.

 

Kanagawa

 

Kanagawa Prefecture secured 100 prefectural housing units and 21 units from the Prefectural Housing Supply Corporation for evacuees from Ukraine. A consultation service has also been opened at the Multilingual Support Center Kanagawa.

Multilingual Support Center Kanagawa

 

 

We will update regularly.

We strongly hope that the invasion will end immediately. The end of the invasion does not mean that Ukrainians will soon be able to return to their previous daily lives. Therefore, we believe Japan needs to provide continuous support. We are also pleased to help you with the change of status of residence and so on.