Photo/Illutration Ukrainian evacuees arrive at their hotel in Tokyo on April 5. (Wataru Sekita)

The government plans to provide up to 2,400 yen ($19.36) a day for living expenses to Ukrainian evacuees in Japan who have no relatives or acquaintances here, sources said.

Japan has let in more than 400 Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion of their homeland. Most of them had previous connections to Japan, including relatives already living here, but a handful had no ties.

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan plans to initially provide 1,000 yen a day to ‘unconnected’ evacuees who are 12 or older during their temporary stays at hotels in addition to meals, the sources said. Those aged 11 or younger are expected to receive 500 yen per day.

While the evacuees are at the hotels, the government plans to introduce them to local governments and companies that are offering residences or job opportunities.

After the Ukrainians leave the hotels and move to their new surroundings, the government plans to raise the daily payments to 2,400 yen for those 12 or older and to 1,200 yen for evacuees under 12. The increases are intended to help cover utility expenses and other fees.

The payments to the evacuees are expected to continue for around six months after their arrival in Japan.

But the crisis in Ukraine could be prolonged, and some evacuees might desire long-term stays in Japan.

The government will consider extending the payment period after monitoring the situation in Ukraine. It is also discussing whether to cover medical expenses for the evacuees.

Japan is already offering various types of assistance to the evacuees, such as interpreting services, job search support, Japanese language teaching and child education.

More Ukrainians without ties to Japan may arrive in the coming weeks.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said April 7 that the government plans to reserve seats on direct flights from Poland on a weekly basis to bring in evacuees from Ukraine.

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