Photo/Illutration Tetiana Honcharenko, right, and Iryna Hrybachova, who both fled from Ukraine, sit in a room in Tokyo’s Minato Ward on Sep. 12, 2022. Hrybachova says, “We really appreciate the support from the people of Japan and the law firm.” (Mayuri Ito)

As the war in Ukraine drags on, Ukrainian sisters who fled to Japan launched a website to offer assistance to compatriots who similarly want to start new lives in the country. 

Tetiana Honcharenko, 49, and Iryna Hrybachova, 40, both residing in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, are also providing individual consultations on visa acquisition procedures and employment in cooperation with a law firm.

"The application documents are written in Japanese, so it’s difficult for (Ukrainians),” Hrybachova said. “We know how hard it is because we have experienced it.”

The sisters formerly resided in Sumy, the capital of Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast. Honcharenko holds a doctorate in economic science and worked as a local assembly member, while Hrybachova served as a lawyer.

Sumy, which is located close to the Russian border, was besieged by Russian forces in the invasion and heavily bombed.

The sisters relied on acquaintances and came to Japan with their relatives in April 2022. Their husbands remain in Ukraine.

In July that year, the sisters were hired by Cast Global Group, a Tokyo-based law firm, which provides legal services in Japan and abroad.

Tatsuo Murao, the head of the firm, wanted Ukrainians who have experience as lawyers to support evacuated people. He contacted the city of Kobe, where he used to work, and was introduced to the sisters.

With financial and other assistance from the firm, the two launched a website at the end of 2022 for Ukrainians who fled to Japan.

The website is also useful for Ukrainians already living in Japan. It provides easy-to-understand explanations in Ukrainian about such issues as how to apply for visas, working regulations in Japan, public housing, pensions, insurance and the education system.

Poland, which borders Ukraine, has set up an information website for Ukrainian evacuees. The sisters said they followed the site in creating the Japanese version.

The sisters have also consulted with around 70 evacuees, mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area, through support events in various locations.

They said many evacuees are having difficulty with the application procedures to switch from short-term visas upon entry into Japan to work visas. Some have asked for advice on working or starting a business.

“Many of the (evacuees) are facing common problems. We want to help them with their legal issues,” Hrybachova said.

The two said they want to continue providing support for such Ukrainians as the year-long war has no end in sight.

For more details, visit the website at https://ls-ukr.jp/

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