Gov't welcomes Ukraine evacuees with eye on int'l recognition, election

Gov't welcomes Ukraine evacuees with eye on int'l recognition, election

Do they really care about these evacuees or just another opportunities to look good for PR purpose and public image.

I will say it again, how interesting that all these countries especially those usually closed to refugees are suddenly opening their doors to Ukraine, oh right not interesting I keep forgetting the only Ukrainian refugees consist mostly White people. Asian, black and middle Eastern need not apply.

Do they really care about these evacuees or just another opportunities to look good for PR purpose and public image.

Actually, the government came out and answered your question directly in the article:

A senior official close to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also said that the use of the government plane was "to clearly show that we are strongly engaged in tackling this problem. We know that it was a performance."

So as Western countries accept large numbers of refugees, Japan brings in a very small number of EVACUEES in a bid to look like it's part of the global effort. Clever. Japan projects the image of caring without the responsibility.

 "The value of assisting does not decrease just because the number of people is low."

Um, yes it does.

People complain too much. Aid is aid. Never look a gifted horse in the mouth. At least is better then to act ignorant and literally refuse to help. People are so entitle to aid these days that they start to think these things are like free lunches ready to be handed out.

Japan's unusually welcoming approach to evacuees from Ukraine who have fled Russia's invasion -- a contrast to its traditionally strict refugee policy -- reflects the government's desire to stay in line with public sentiment and show it is contributing as a Western nation, pundits say.

No. My heart goes out to these people, but racism is at play here. They're white refugees. Where's the welcome mat for Afghan, Syrian or Yemeni refugees? A war is a war regardless of who they look like.

hashtag: refugeesyo!

Gov't welcomes Ukraine evacuees with eye on int'l recognition, election

One of the most truthful article titles I have ever seen here.

I will say it again, how interesting that all these countries especially those usually closed to refugees are suddenly opening their doors to Ukraine, oh right not interesting I keep forgetting the only Ukrainian refugees consist mostly White people. Asian, black and middle Eastern need not apply.

Truth to tell, this time the Japanese public can have more empathy with Ukrainians as the Russian threat proves real and eminent to the neighboring countries. Putin used to claim to the effect that the Ainu, an ethnic minority residing in Northern Japan are actually Russians. Now you can guess what comes next; Japan needs to be "de-Nazified" to save Russian "co-nationals" there. No joke.

PR stunt

However, some in the Japanese Foreign Ministry had called for a more cautious approach to the matter.

"What is requested from Japan is economic support for countries accepting a massive exodus of refugees, not accepting them," explained a government official, pointing to a possible expansion of the country's emergency humanitarian aid worth $200 million.

String-attached to Kremlin? This intervention must have been behind the cut in number of 30 to 20 refugees intake. The Ministry of Justice was originally in charge. At the last moment, the Foreign Ministry covered it as the Justice minster was self-isolating due to corona.

@Fighto,the truth hurts,accept it.@Antiquesaving pointed out the truth.Japan is selective in choosing whom to give refugee status.Very discriminative.

Besides,there are people that are already in Japan who've been applying for refugee status for years and they've never been granted.Some are in detention centers to date while others have died in detention and others forced to board planes in handcuffs.Pure racism and discrimination.

Slavic languages are so close to each other that Ukrainians, Russians, Poles and Czechs can communicate with one another to some extent by speaking their own languages. The Ukrainian refugees will have a hard time assimilating into Japanese society.

Japan's unusually welcoming approach to evacuees from Ukraine who have fled Russia's invasion -- a contrast to its traditionally strict refugee policy -- reflects the government's desire to stay in line with public sentiment and show it is contributing as a Western nation, pundits say.

Ahead of the House of Councillors election slated for this summer, the government is sensitive to public opinion which is in favor of helping the evacuees, with many companies and local municipalities offering support for them.

Wow! This article is surprisingly honest and transparent about why the Japanese have accepted those 20 people. Hats off to Kyodo. They have some small degree of journalistic integrity

No. My heart goes out to these people, but racism is at play here. They're white refugees. Where's the welcome mat for Afghan, Syrian or Yemeni refugees? A war is a war regardless of who they look like.

THIS! THIS! As the only poster here who actually holds Syrian citizenship, I concur 100%. Best post I've read in a LONG time!

Receive one million Uklane refugees to Japan. We can change our society and revitalize our economy by injecting different blood and culture.

The Ukrainian refugees will have a hard time assimilating into Japanese society.

They aren't refugees. The various ministries involved have taken great pains to indicate that these people are evacuees, not refugees. Their legal situation would be vastly different if they were recognized as refugees. According to NHK news last night the 20 evacuees were given 90 day visas.

The average Ukrainian make 240 dollars a month,about 8 dollars a day

Shame on LDP for using the refugees for cheap political points. They do not even deny it. They would rightfully get ridiculed by the opposition if this was another country but we don't hear a single noise from them here. I wonder if it is the media that applies a total blackout to them or are they even more so incompetent than LDP?

The value of assisting does not decrease just because the number of people is low.

The dude got this confused for the excuse he makes when he skimps on his anniversary gift to his wife.

Japan is very far away from Ukraine. It seems most don't want to come to Japan. They hear about everything different in language, culture things. They want to stay somewhere in Europe and to go home as soon as war is over.

Seriously?

The propaganda in this country is incredible.

With a population of over 120 million people they helped just 20 or 30 refugees?

When you see other countries way smaller than this welcoming thousand of them?

Japan is not opening it’s heart,it is just playing the tatemae game which is very good at it in front of the international community.

The right wingers old boys hawks at the helm don’t want gaijin.

20 though? They should have at least filled the plane up.

Japan says: The number of refugees are not important. Hahahahahahaaaaa!

Gov’t welcomes Ukraine evacuees with eye on int'l recognition, election

Japan's unusually welcoming approach to evacuees from Ukraine who have fled Russia's invasion -- a contrast to its traditionally strict refugee policy -- reflects the government's desire to stay in line with public sentiment and show it is contributing as a Western nation, pundits say.

Ahead of the House of Councillors election slated for this summer, the government is sensitive to public opinion which is in favor of helping the evacuees, with many companies and local municipalities offering support for them.

The government is also eager to demonstrate that it is joining efforts by the United States and Europe to aid the surging number of those fleeing Ukraine, which now exceeds 4 million, in the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.

I wish we could have more articles like this ...

The Truth – a breath of fresh air

...

Of course they don’t care about these poor desperate people; it’s all about politics – the world is watching and the J Gov’t knows it. The only thing Japan cares about is Japan and the Japanese.

...

But... let’s welcome those twenty (?!) lucky souls ...

I'm not sure the 90 day visa will be enough time to completely rebuild their lives in this (to them) very foreign country before they must leave. What is the plan after the 90 days? The small of a number of evacuees/refugees were probably cherry picked as to be able to support themselves in some way now or in the near future.

Good news, but hard to ignore the fact that this could be just another PR in time for the summer elections as stated, I certainly hope not.

Many nations are helping with this crisis, Japan is doing the least in terms of the numbers of refuges admitted, I am hoping the Japanese public will pressure the government to do more.

The nerve of the Japanese government using these poor people as pawns for their latest publicity stunt. Truly, are there no lows the LDP won't sink down to?

The government said it plans to first provide them support for around six months including help with housing, employment and language lessons.

And I'll just bet that after these 6 months are up, the Japanese government will wash their hands of them and leave them to struggle on their own if they're still having a hard time adjusting, finding a job etc.

Applause will be given when Japan admits a million or more refugees. 20 refugees is nothing more than a cheap gesture - a smokescreen to make it seem like the LDP is actually stepping up to international standards when it comes to helping the people of Ukraine. Shame on them.

These Ukrainians are evacuees, not refugees. It seems to me most evacuees don't want to go very far from their homeland. They go home as soon as war is over, but refugees don't go home.

According to NHK news last night the 20 evacuees were given 90 day visas.

Didn't know that, but it makes sense (even thought the article mentions assistance for 6 months).

Either way it'll be just enough to make a few feel-good media appearances before the election.

Japan wants international recognition and its getting it.

Unfortunately its not the kind of recognition that's internationally going to benefit Japan's image.

Perhaps if they open the border to international tourists and show great kindness to foreigners that would certainly help .

Then Ukrainians could come to Japan regardless .

That's if people want to visit Japan anymore anyway.

Gov't welcomes Ukraine evacuees with eye on int'l recognition, election

Spot on, the voting demographic will love this new ‘Japan the great supporter of international cooperation’ thing.

 The small of a number of evacuees/refugees were probably cherry picked....

NHK profiled a few last night and they all seemed to have family members living here already. I guess that was a major criterion.

We'll see what happens to them after 6 months and if they become visa overstayers who have to be locked in a detention facility and ultimately deported.

The official brushed aside the comparably low number taken in by Japan, saying, "The value of assisting does not decrease just because the number of people is low."

Yes, it does, because not only is it low, it's a hundred of a thousandth what others are doing, and as the other makes no attempt to hide, it's merely for show. They won't be quite as loud or pander to the press when they kick these desperate people to the curb in six months.

Actually, I'm looking forward to seeing how they play this as an election issue. Will they say, "Look, we took in people desperate to get away from a nation at war, and are proud of that!" or will it be an opposition point that they will say, "Look... come on... we got the world to recognize and cheer for Japan, more, right? And we ARE going to kick them out shortly... so no harm done to the unique culture and four seasons!" and make other excuses?

If Japan wanted to be truly humane here, and not just get some back-patting while the rest of the world does more, they would simply open the doors and say the people can stay as long as they like. What's the downfall? It adds to the population, which has the highest decrease in the world right now? Adds people who will more eagerly learn the language and culture than the people born and raised here, and who will be thankful for it instead of just feel entitled to it all? They'll get more able-bodied people and more taxes if said people enter the workforce -- and heck, they won't be able to muddle up elections, even? So, yes, it very much does matter the number, especially when you have closed the doors to all the rest who might stay and die as a result.

It is interesting how everyone claims we need to help Ukraine, we need to provide more take in more refugees, supply more weapons, money for food.

In the meantime Ukraine had $58 billion in international debt and last month while war raged and Ukraine was begging for money and help. Western lenders required Ukraine pay on time $ 1 billion in payment and no relief for the $7.8 billion is has to pay this year.

After it paid the $1 billion the IMF and European Union loaned Ukraine another $1.2 billion.

This is all on-top of the hundreds of millions in debt due to the weapons being "sold" on credit by the UK, EU, USA and Canada.

So next time we hear refugees need this and that, or Ukraine needs donations, tel our governments to "forgive" the present debt and forgo the next payments, Ukraine will have all the money it needs to help it's people.

So next time we hear refugees need this and that, or Ukraine needs donations, tel our governments to "forgive" the present debt and forgo the next payments, Ukraine will have all the money it needs to help it's people.

True. That's why I don't donate to any Ukraine related fundraising programs or NGO's.

Having resided in your country (Japan), I consider it a start. The Japanese people, despite a tradition of ethnocentrism, treat foreigners well as long as those foreigners do not commit crimes or enter Japan without the proper process being followed.

I applaud the Japanese government for its generosity and feel that any effort they make is an honest one.

Why shouldn't a country offer refuge to the people they choose to help? The USA has not in modern times refused Asian refugees. That is not true. We welcome anyone who has gone through the proper process and not illegally entered our nation. The Ukrainians welcome any help they can get. I do have to point out that Estonia, a country of just over 1.3 million citizens has contributed over $ 200,000,000.00 in aid to Ukraine.

Gov't welcomes Ukraine evacuees with eye on int'l recognition, election

Refugee: A person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

Evacuee: A person evacuated from a place of danger to somewhere safe.

The status of these families, is paramount to there health and wellbeing.

Families that have been displaced under under such horrific and extreme circumstances need to feel secure and safe.

If called upon, I will take families into my own home. I have space.

The Ukrainians welcome any help they can get. I do have to point out that Estonia, a country of just over 1.3 million citizens has contributed over $ 200,000,000.00 in aid to Ukraine.

And last month paid out $1 billion in payments to western governments, banks, the IMF, the world Bank and several EU and western governments, then took out another $1.4 billion from the IMF and $700 million from the world Bank and $500 million from EU commission in loans.

So the $200 those 1.3 million citizens gave in aid went to pay 1/5 of the payment Ukraine had to make despite being at war and despite the international rhetoric by Western countries of doing everything they can to help Ukraine.

What they really mean is they're doing everything they can to help Ukraine as long as it profits them or doesn't stop Ukraine's payments to them.

Interesting, point out how to really help Ukraine by removing debt payments and it seems that many here don't like that idea!

Why? Do you want Ukraine more in debt?

Welcome Ukraine evacuees!

( +0 / -4 )

Ok got it, profits before compassion!

Gov't welcomes Ukraine evacuees with eye on international recognition, election..:

Whatever hidden intention there may be, chances are this is mainly for goodwill show only, meant to cultivate Japan's image.

Wonder how most Japanese deep in their hearts would face these Ukrainians..

Such a shame there wasn't such a response when people were fleeing Iraq, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan and any other country with darker-haired and darker-skinned people.

From a practical point of view, these families would benefit from, where possible, being amongst households.

My local J community sprit could help families readjust.

It is a big ask.

However, put out a request to J people.

Japan will do what it sees best for it's population. For all of you crying racism, how would you react if China was at war an 1,000,000 came to Japan wanting asylum? Would you be all welcoming as you are with Middle Eastern people? I bet not.

Ukranians do not want to leave their country, and those that have want to go back. They will rebuild. If not, they assimilate, but that will not be a large number.

What a welcome. I wonder if they get to skip quarantine like the Olympic team?

However, some in the Japanese Foreign Ministry had called for a more cautious approach to the matter.

"What is requested from Japan is economic support for countries accepting a massive exodus of refugees, not accepting them," explained a government official, pointing to a possible expansion of the country's emergency humanitarian aid worth $200 million.

So easy to fix.

Have the western countries and bank forgive the next $ 1 billion in debt repayment due in May.

That's 5 times the $200 million.

From now to the end of this year Ukraine must make around$1 billion in payments to the IMF, EU central banks, world Bank various western governments EVERY MONTH!

forgive those payments and Ukraine has no need for donations, it will have 4 to 5 times the needed funds.

From the above:

"Bringing the evacuees on the government plane was a way to show "Japan's posture" in helping tackle the refugee crisis, with over 2.4 million people having crossed the border into Poland so far, a Japanese official said."

You do little to help anyone through "postures." That said, I hope this small gesture of kindness will escalate into more kindness.

So I repeat: Welcome Ukraine evacuees.

Can one of the down voters on my comments starting that forgiving the debt and payments Ukraine is now paying would be far more help than a few hundred million dollars, please explain your vote!

Officials claim in the article the $200 million is needed to help Ukraine, I pointed out Ukraine was "forced" by western countries to make a $ 1 billion payment in March and needs to make another $1 billion by the end of May.

And every month this year.

So we give $200 million then take $1 billion,

Please explain why my proposal to forgive Ukraine's debt and letting them use that money to help their people gets your down vote!

the_sicilianToday  10:56 am JST

Japan will do what it sees best for it's population. For all of you crying racism, how would you react if China was at war an 1,000,000 came to Japan wanting asylum? Would you be all welcoming as you are with Middle Eastern people? I bet not.

I will guess you are not very old.

My school in Canada was 30% Lebanese and Vietnamese refugees.

My country took in plenty of ethnic Chinese forced out of Vietnam often called "boat people" so did many countries and as far as I know they had no problems, so I see very little problem with your hypothetical Chinese refugees!

Japan will continue to do things their way. All this noise, scorn and judgement will just keep you on the fringes and miserable guys. Remember, we all chose to come to one of the most homogeneous countries on the planet, we all know the history of the place, and we all navigate the culture to the best of our abilities and temperaments. Not saying you don’t have a point, but it goes round and round. You could script these comments without even having to read them.

Meanwhile the real movers and shakers are in deep and engaging. Recommend Japan Insights on clubhouse and YouTube for anyone that wants off of the anger train. Looking down on people with such vitriol scorn, you have to ask , does it do anyone any good? Have been guilty of it myself so totally get it , but yeah, getting a bit tiresome.

Small steps, tiny incremental changes, this is how things are here. Stubborn resistance to change and expediency, sure, but shifts are occurring just under the surface. Yelling of course has always been counter-productive.

Personal goal for the remainder of my days in cherry blossom land, don’t become a chronic cynic. Sorry for the anti-rant friends. Hope these twenty make a go of it and public sentiment slowly moves in the direction I think we all would like to see it go to. They’ll get there and so will we!

the_sicilian

Japan will do what it sees best for it's population. For all of you crying racism, how would you react if China was at war an 1,000,000 came to Japan wanting asylum? Would you be all welcoming as you are with Middle Eastern people? I bet not.

Japan cannot remove its barriers of refugees for the reasons you mentioned.

When you look at what happened to Tibet and the Uighurs you can understand.

Clive Hamilton's book Silent Invasion explains in detail the way CCP works to dominate the world.

Even if it is for PR purposes, if it helps even a few refugees that is a good thing ultimately. More would obviously be nice, but hey. Take what you can get at least.

It still seems a little strange to me to travel so far when neighboring countries are already welcoming many more refugees, but at the same time I can see how nearby countries may be overburdened already.

My initial hope was that Japan was reaching out to the refugees who have otherwise experienced difficulties and discrimination, such as Ukranians of non-slavic descent. Doesn't seem to be the case, at least from what I have been able to see, which is too bad.

This is a good thing.

Still, Japan is capable of much more.

I think these Ukrainians are hoping they can go back to resettle in their own country even if they have to rebuild. It is their home. But if they keep getting attacked - they will try to rebuild themselves in Japan. But I am sure they are wishing to go back. It is always home sweet home. After all, they were not planning to move. This is an extraordinary circumstance! It is hard to learn a language in 6 months!

It is good to see that Japans Foreign Ministry is overriding Japans Justice Ministry regarding refugees. Immigration in Japan is under the jurisdiction of the Justice Ministry which needs drastic reform.

Yesterday many of us commented on this issue saying that this was just for show and an election photo op given the low number. As expected those posters were slammed as "anti Japan" and Japan bashers " by the regular apologists ( who are conspicuously absent right now ). Now we have even the the govt officials openly admitting that is the case. Time to eat your hat J govt apologists.

As always, Kyodo never release the same news article for Japanese readers, like Asahi does not release its Japanese version into its English version. Look around. There are no media reporting such provoking part you folks keep dancing on. Special service to foreigners, disgusting Yes? If Kyodo is confident, why not release the same story in Japanese?   A senior official close to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also said “It was a performance”? Hope Kyodo not degrade itself down to the level of 2 channel.

Kyodo never mentioned how senior the one is.. how close the one is to PM, What about saying who said so anyway?? . Kyodo does not care even a bit about responsibility as one of major media. You ignore and blame Russian or Chinese public media but never in this kind of case.  Sure. It could be true that was a performance. SO WHAT? At least 20 Ukraine refugees could escape by this performance.

Each regional municipalities are trying to do to welcome those evacuees.

Those who always refer to G7 responsibilities, might want to know G7 is basically a group of those so-called rich countries for financial system coordination. Please let us all know, if possible, how many evacuees actually enter each one of G7 countries up to now if you want to keep blaming on this 20 in number on the single spot. Whatever threshold number for accepting Ukrainian each G7 countries have announced so far, SO WHAT? They are saying “ Come here, we will welcome you” 

How many were male or female ?

Think about the extremely expensive aviation fuel cost for a government plane that brought back a pitifully low amount of evacated refugees.

There's a fine line between generosity and cruelty in Japanese culture.

So I notice they gave them the status of evacuees not Refugees. So really Japan just indicated their real position. That they will except 1 out of 100 just like always. Nothing will change. But I will acknowledge the find effects in making a stand and aid Ukrainian fight free freedom

gintonic- VERY well said!

Oh please...excuses & deflection as usual.. those apologist posters who accused others of Japan bashing read and were commenting on exactly the same article posted here on JT as the rest of us. Not on articles posted by other outlets elsewhere.

Since when you have to take the news article at face value to join the JT discussion board? particularly from Kyodo which is notorious for differentiating its English news from Japanese news?

But yeah, its hard to own up to it after J-govt sources themselves said the next day this was done as an election PR show which is what you guys said was "Japan bashing" , truth hurts huh?

I suggest you to take a look back at the thread . Who did actually complain about or tried to deny "PR show" as Japan Bashing? Copy-Paste here please. There are just a few posters ( as always here at JT including myself) who criticize Japan-bashing in disguise of so-called constructive opinions, so it must be easy for you to do so. Will You? If I recall, people there just laughed out loud and blamed on the final number of 20, plus, like yourself, blamed on Japan as Japan should at least have filled with 2 government planes full as a member of G7.

As it has been reported already, and you might already know, for this time's rescue, the conditions were 1. those who had contacted Japanese embassy either in Ukraine or in Poland asking for help who hopes to be evacuated to Japan. 2 among those, those who cannot afford air fee to do so.

So are you willing to inform us about other G7 countries? Other than Japan, all of them are either in Europe or English-speaking countries ( no matter how far away they are), In short easier to fit for them. So how many evacuees have so far entered each one of them? Japan has already accepted over 400.

Very little as a G7 member Huh?

truth hurts huh?

What truth? why hurts? Watching video on old Ukrainian mother hugging her daughter and her ground-son from this 20, at Narita airport, I thought this was very good for this time.

ground-son --- grandson