Japan accepts 8 people displaced by Russian invasion of Ukraine

A whole 8 people out of over a million? Overwhelming generosity!

When it gets to 800 it will be more impressive. Eight is a bit sad.

Um 8 ? Wow what a great effort…

Is this a joke?

Japan in 2020 accepted 47 refugees and another 44 for "humanitarian reasons." This from the UNHCR.

For Ukrainians without connection to Japan though, imagine being displaced by a Russian invasion only to find yourself suddenly in Japan surrounded by one of the most distinct and unique cultures in the world where barely anyone speaks English. 

The senseless comment of the day.

So according to your “logic” Japan shouldn’t help them due to their “unique” culture compared to the rest of the world?

I have a news for you,not all Gaijinland is the same.

The people in Vaduz,Islamabad and Soul are totally different from each other.

Basically Japan just wants to be able to say that they have taken in refugees from Ukraine, do some photoshoots, make them work for it and then kick them out.

Meanwhile in Sweden if I know my mother right there is probably already a couple Ukrainians sleeping in my childhood room.

And what happens to them after 90 days ?

8 people for 90 days.... way to "show our solidarity" Mr. Kishida.... plenty of brownie-points accruing from the international community no doubt. dear oh dear!

Still, I'm sure there will be some cute pictures of them eating sushi or meeting someone vaguely important, so the rest of the world can get a heartwarming story about the wonderful generosity of Japan!

EIGHT? Only?

A lot

The eight people are Ukrainian nationals who have relatives or acquaintances in Japan, and were granted short-term residency for 90 days, according to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

My brother came and stayed with me for 3 months a few years ago.

Isn't 90 days just the max you can stay without a visa - i.e. a tourist??

If so, pretending this is some kind of special consideration is quite offensive.

I think most will want to stay in Europe with the hope of returning home one day soon.

100% this.

If an Ukrainian refugee has the choice between staying in neighboring Poland for a few months, or moving literally to the other side of the world where they don't know anyone, can't communicate with anyone, and will likely feel completely out of place due to the massive cultural differences, of course virtually everyone will want to stay in Poland.

People complaining that Japan needs to take in more people may want to acknowledge the reality that no one wants to move to the other side of the world for a conflict that may well be over within a few weeks/months (fingers crossed).

The eight people are Ukrainian nationals who have relatives or acquaintances in Japan, and were granted short-term residency for 90 days, according to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

Relatives or acquaintances... so this means that if non of the people had either, the number of "refugees" would be ZERO.

As much as I love living here, this BS is embarrassing to say the least!

Eight is a good number for language classes. You can put them in pairs.

Eight is ridiculously small. So all of you generous-minded posters please open your door and put up some more displaced Ukrainians for a couple of months.

"Those who apply for refugee status will have their claims considered on the merits, the agency said."

To me that says the up to now none have applied for refugee status and none have been accepted as refugees. It does not say "those who have applied".

If they they apply and their claims are considered on their merits, I suspect most claims will be denied as that is usually the case.

British Channel 4 news is reporting the England has only accepted 50 Ukrainians so far, while Poland, Hungry, Romania are taking thousands and granting up to 3 years visas with NO Questions asked, the world will remember these HEARTLESS nations that are not helping.

gaijintravellerToday  07:23 pm JST

"Those who apply for refugee status will have their claims considered on the merits, the agency said."

Valid point here,in time of wars wealthier countries help the ones with war and helps as many refugees without checking at that moment the “merit” or “demerit”of a single person.

This is something that can be done when the war is over.

But the priority is first to save as many human people as possible.

Some J-apologists here argued this due to the “uniqueness” of the country.

Well,for me I call it coldness and cruelty.

The eight people are Ukrainian nationals who have relatives or acquaintances in Japan, and were granted short-term residency for 90 days, according

The Japanese government are so generous. Watching your company being eaten up, seeing the clock tick down for this 90 day residency. I doubt these Ukrainians will have any time to take a breath.

Nice virtue signaling for J. immigration methinks.

as Tokyo ramps up its humanitarian support.

A.K.A. send money

Thomas GoodtimeToday  06:22 pm JST

Vile attitude towards this crisis from Japan. But not unsurprising.

Totally agreed with this,in the end Ukrainian people are luckier to be helped by more humane countries than this one who treats foreign residents like third class humans and where people get abused and even dies in detention centres.

Japan political system,immigration and (justice) system have very little of humanity.

Ok. Its a start. .. Nice to see a non-zero number.

I could put that eight in my home. And before any of you ask, I've already registered that offer with the Canadian government and our local Ukrainian community.

One such story got ‘National’ news coverage here this morning. Are the ‘aunt, mother & daughter’ three of the eight?

https://japantoday.com/category/national/ukraine-born-woman-in-japan-awaits-reunion-with-family -

“My mother and relatives will likely be able to come to Japan," said Nika Koriyama, 25, who lives in Kagoshima with her husband and a 1-year-old son. Koriyama found out that her mother, sister and aunt would likely be able to depart Ukraine via Poland if they have the correct papers and passports.” -

From this story above:

“The eight people are Ukrainian nationals who have relatives or acquaintances in Japan, and were granted short-term residency for 90 days, according to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.”

Ramped up to 8. Pathetic.

I don't get why commenters are even complaining about. It's not like most Ukraine are jumping from joy to travel all the way from Ukraine to Japan. A country they almost knows nothing about or even understand the language. Most rational people would rather choose a country in Europe where most of them are treated like family. The only reason why anyone would be willing to enter here is when they already have a relative that is staying here and could help them manage the whole language and culture barrier.

Any refugee with a brain would know staying in Europe offer them a way better stable future then to go all the way here.

Correction:

*"Watching your country being eaten up,"

I knew it,when Kishida told to the other western leaders that Japan would help the Ukrainian refugees in hosting them it was a mere lip service.

I don’t say that Japan should help 17.000 refugees from Ukraine like Italy is doing,but 8?

Seriously?

Hypocrite and loyal to his far right wing nippon kaigi to the end.

Anyway he can do this because the world now doesn’t see or care what is doing Japan which is sitting at the remote side of the planet.

This is 2 more than my guess of 6... Hang your head in shame Japan

Well that's marvellous, 8 lucky refugees to be relocated in Japan - they're really picky these Japanese.....

1.5 million Ukrainians are now refugees, east Europe nations have opened their borders without any restriction while the rest of the world is watching, considering, debating, evaluating, and doing NOTHING.

Even tho 8 is a lucky number in Japan and its better than zero - its a bit pathetic to accept such few .

Is there a better explanation as to why only 8.

???

I mean a real valid explanation and not a dithering meek excuse .

Goodness gracious kishida !

Thankyou Japan anyway.

Come on, Japan. You can do better. Despite Japan’s poor record of taking in refugees didn’t a large Japanese company recently offer to sponsor, house, train and provide work opportunities to at least 100 refugees?

Mar 4. https://japantoday.com/category/national/Don-Quijote-to-welcome-100-Ukranian-refugee-families#comment-2902608

Oh wow. Eight you say? A whole single digit number? What does Kishida expect from this appalling and embarrassingly low number - a pat on the back? A cookie perhaps...no. A participation award. Absurd.

"Japan will allow in people who have fled Ukraine to third countries as we wish to show our solidarity with the people of Ukraine when the world is at a critical juncture," Kishida told reporters in announcing the policy.

> …..

Isn't this non news?

8 people?

How embarrassingly inadequate and Kishida doesn’t understand what ‘showing solidarity means’ !

Makes sense. There are plenty of resources to help these people in Europe, where the cultural differences are much smaller. People who have relatives in Japan and actually want to come here should of course be granted access without hesitation. I'm hoping and assuming that is indeed the case.

For Ukrainians without connection to Japan though, imagine being displaced by a Russian invasion only to find yourself suddenly in Japan surrounded by one of the most distinct and unique cultures in the world where barely anyone speaks English. It's just cruel and definitely not desirable as long as there is room in Europe, which there is.

Well done Japan, 8 is sensible, let's keep a tight border, safety in Japan is the number one priority.