CHARITY PROJECT

Amid all this, I came to understand that borscht is a dish that, while familiar, holds special significance for Ukrainians. Much like miso soup or ozoni in Japan, the taste of borscht varies depending on the region and the family.

When I requested borscht, Olena seemed determined to make the best version possible. The recipe she shared, which includes several kinds of large cuts of meat, vegetables, and beans, is rich in flavor and reminiscent of a large family. It was as if she was recalling the abundant life she once had in Ukraine.

However, even someone like her occasionally feels bouts of depression. When I probed further, she revealed that she had witnessed a cluster bomb near her home. She saw something like a ball flying through the air, which split into four or five parts, hitting an apartment building, and in an instant, the entire structure went up in flames. When she turned around, she saw that the building behind her was also engulfed in fire. Having witnessed such a terrifying scene with her own eyes, she and her mother fled in a state of near panic.

One day, she posted on social media, "I am temporary, temporary." The post conveyed a deep sense of anxiety—being viewed as a temporary person by Japanese society, yet unable to return to Ukraine, leaving her with a painful uncertainty as life simply passes by.

Natalie's home was in a stylish apartment in Yokohama. A few years ago, she moved to Japan for her husband’s work, and when the war started, her mother-in-law evacuated to join them.

When I visited for a photoshoot last year, her mother-in-law was in good health and was keeping the children entertained as they ran around. However, she suddenly passed away from a heart attack at the end of the year. Natalie shared that her mother-in-law had been watching news from her hometown every day, which must have caused her immense stress. She believed that if it weren’t for the war, her mother-in-law would still be living peacefully in her own town.

When I asked Natalie about her impression of Japan, she said that Japan is blessed with nature, cleanliness, and delicious, interesting food. She laughed, noting that while Japanese people are hardworking, they get drunk quickly. However, she also felt that Japanese people tend to be a bit closed off toward foreigners. She recounted three occasions when she saw elderly people collapse in the subway or at markets, and no one stepped in to help. She assisted them and felt deep sympathy for those elderly individuals.

This spring, Natalie and her family moved to Taiwan. When I asked her via email what message she would like to share now, she responded:

"Whether there is war or not, we must help our neighbors. Let’s be more open, and avoid violence and harmful thoughts!"

Her simple yet powerful words resonated deeply with me.

(1) Since coming to Japan, have you noticed any differences in customs or culture?
When looking at modern social life, there are surprisingly many similarities. Of course, there are differences in language, nuances, customs, traditions, and the culture unique to Asia. In communication with Japanese people, it’s very difficult and takes time to accept the differences in nuances.

(2) How would you like to live in the future?
In the future, I want to return to my homeland, Ukraine. That’s why I’ve started writing again. I’m also filming videos about Japan to share on my YouTube channel.

(3) Have you had any interesting experiences in Japan? Conversely, have there been any challenges?
There were many things that caused anxiety, such as the complex transportation infrastructure and a language I couldn’t understand at all. However, many people helped me. Relationships between people are what form the basis of any country. Once you realize that, you become less dissatisfied with the world and society. Moreover, Japan’s climate is mild, flowers are always blooming, and everything, from parks to traditional events, is beautiful. I think Japan is a wonderful, unbelievable country.

(4) Do you sleep well at night?
I sleep well now—unless sad news arrives from Ukraine. Many of my former colleagues and acquaintances are still in the war zone, and some have gone missing. My worries never end.

(5) Has there been any change in your family? Is your family in Ukraine safe?
My daughter is in the military. My granddaughter attends school in Ukraine.

(6) If there’s anything you’d like to say or have Japanese people hear, please write it here.
I ask the people of Japan to continue supporting Ukraine so that we can liberate Ukraine from the enemy and ensure that all means are taken to move toward victory.
Please know that we are extremely grateful for the tremendous support you have provided. We pay our deepest respect to all those who extended a helping hand during this difficult time.

One day, while volunteering with my neighborhood association to help at a food bank, I encountered Yevheniia, who had evacuated from Ukraine and was there to receive food. I spoke to her and invited her to my home, where I showed her my piece titled "Tiny Flowers." She said, "I think this work appeals to the Japanese. But for Ukrainians, war is a painful reality we face every day, even if we don’t want to see it. That's why, instead of focusing on the war, I would love to see more of Ukraine’s beautiful and positive aspects showcased."

Her words resonated deeply with me, and I started to think about what I could do. Perhaps I could make a contribution through the food photography I’ve been taking for many years. That’s how this project began.

With the Japanese government’s support coming to an end, I imagine she must be facing significant anxiety as she continues to support fellow Ukrainians while also searching for work herself. Even so, she always appears stylish and positive whenever we meet. Before I knew it, I was the one being encouraged by her.

Liubov evacuated to Japan last July. When I visited her for the interview, she was preparing food with her daughter, Julia. The scene was like that of any ordinary mother in Japan. Wearing simple clothes, she skillfully prepared three dishes and a drink in a tiny kitchen, about the size of one tatami mat, in her public housing unit. Each dish made me think, “Ah, this is so delicious.”

When I started preparing for her portrait shoot, she went to the bathroom, applied makeup, and changed into a dress. The once plain and ordinary mother transformed into an elegant and slightly glamorous lady, the kind you’d imagine doting on her grandchildren.

When it comes to art photography, portraits that reflect the harshness of someone’s life may be more well-received. But I wanted to photograph her in a way that captured her beauty. I also wanted the food to look as delicious as possible.

In a limited amount of time and space, Lyubov opened herself up to me, a complete stranger, despite our language barrier. I simply wanted to bring a smile to her face, even if just for a moment.

Last fall, I visited the Ukrainian Embassy for the first time to show my work. The person who received me was Third Secretary Inna. After viewing my work, she suggested we hold an exhibition, and from then on, I visited the embassy almost every month for meetings.

During those six months, conflicts erupted in Gaza, and a major earthquake struck Japan, leading to a decline in news coverage of Ukraine. One day, when I visited the embassy, Inna tearfully told me that a missile had fallen on Kyiv the day before, killing over 50 people. I was at a loss for words, with images of what I had seen in the news flashing through my mind. The harsh reality that the family and friends of the person standing in front of me were still in imminent danger struck me deeply.

Inna made kasha (a porridge made from buckwheat groats), a soul food of Ukraine. She finished it with a mushroom sauce. Its simple yet rich flavor seemed like it would pair well with wine.

When I visited the two living in Himeji city, their room was almost empty, with just a laptop and a few cardboard boxes, and bright sunlight streaming in. They spoke gently and quietly in Japanese, and they seemed very calm. Their delight in small, simple things felt almost endearing, and the food they made was simple yet had a nostalgic taste.

When I asked them about their impressions of living in Japan, they mentioned the convenience of transportation and postal services, the abundance of vending machines, and how delicious the fish dishes were. They were also surprised at how shops have seasonal specialties and how much importance is placed on the changing of the seasons.

However, when I asked about their future plans, their response was, "It's too early to think about that." For them, their current reality was just getting through each day, waiting for the morning news from the front lines. Even though they are in Japan, they are still living in the middle of a war. Tetiana’s mother is a school principal, unable to leave her students and staff behind, while Mykola’s father has an important position in the defense sector. Their families remain in constant danger.

Here is the message Tetiana shared with me via email, in her own words:

"The war continues. Until Ukraine wins this inhumane war against a deranged dictator, the entire world is in danger. Please support Ukraine, whether through kind words, prayers, or donations to a fund—anything helps. By doing so, you will be supporting the entire free world. Please, we beg of you!"

Katerina has been in Japan for 18 years, actively performing as a bandura player, a traditional Ukrainian instrument. At the onset of the war, her 70-year-old mother, Maria, was living alone in Kyiv. A missile fell just 15 minutes away from her home, and in a panic, she boarded a packed train heading to Lviv. She stood the entire time for over ten hours, and even after reaching Lviv, she walked through the night for 24 hours to cross the border, eventually arriving in a wheelchair at Haneda Airport.

"When my mother was still in Kyiv, we often talked on Skype. Sometimes, we even argued. But as soon as I hung up, the thought that a missile might hit her at that very moment filled me with intense regret for having argued."

"Many of my family and friends are still living in Ukraine. Their screams, born from living in terror, pierce deeply into those of us living in safety. There isn't a single day when I don't think about the frustration, the helplessness, and what I can do. Yet, I was determined to save at least my mother."

Bandura players in the past resisted Stalin through their performances, and hundreds were massacred as a result. Katerina spoke with strong resolve about her commitment to advocating for peace.

　In December,  2023, I visited JUCA, an organization based in Nagoya, for an interview. I went to cover a Ukrainian lunch event, which evacuees hold once a month by renting a restaurant. Since it was around Christmas, the menu followed traditional customs. I photographed pampushka, a type of bread often eaten with borscht.

After the shoot, I interviewed one of the evacuees, with the help of JUCA's president, Ludmyla Kawaguchi, who interpreted for us. The evacuee, recalling a terrifying experience, began speaking tearfully, as if pleading. It was as though someone from a war news broadcast had appeared right in front of me. Ludmyla, also on the verge of tears, interpreted their words. I felt the weight, seriousness, cruelty, and injustice of it all, and I had no words to respond. I realized deeply just how much these evacuees had endured to come to Japan.

On May 15,2024, they opened a new Ukrainian restaurant called Zhyto in Nagoya. I’d like to visit it soon. I encourage everyone to check it out!

I’d like to share a story from Olena, who interpreted for us at the "Ukrainian Cafe KRAIANY."

"I lived in Moscow for two years and had many friends there. However, since the war began, only one person has reached out to check on me. A close friend, who traveled around Crimea by bike, told me, 'It was good when Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014!' I was at a loss for words. I asked her how she could say it was good when so many Ukrainians are being killed. She got defensive. At first, I thought she was under the influence of propaganda and mind control. Even knowing the facts of the many killings, she still claimed that Russia was good. I cannot associate with people who accept killing."

The members of the Japan-Ukraine Friendship Association Krajany (NPO) gathered to create a handmade embroidered map of Ukraine, which I photographed and used in the calendar design. The patterns differ by region, and along with the warmth of traditional Ukrainian embroidery, I can feel the hopes and emotions of the Ukrainian people sewn into each stitch.

Q1) I have heard that there are pro-Russian people among Ukrainians. Among your acquaintances living in Crimea, there may be those who think it is better now that it is part of Russia. As a journalist, what are your thoughts on this?

I had such acquaintances, of course. Among people close to the family, even relatives. It's just very good for retirees not to change anything for themselves, because it's like a "return" to the past, where they somehow got used to living and it's not easy not to think about it. They didn't have much, but they didn't need much either, so the habit prevails over other issues that are already more important for people of the younger generation.

Rather, pro-Russian upbringing was pro-Soviet in its content for many on the peninsula. There are too many soldiers of almost all branches of the military, and there are many people around the military units: military families, their relatives, some connections of the shadow business type, etc. Here the nation, the language should be only the one that decides matters and customs. It is convenient - in Russian and as taught in textbooks. As management will say, etc.

Other types of thinking were perceived with difficulty until the main question changed: the country Ukraine, the Ukrainian language. Many topics for manipulation among the population began here. Russia was not put under strict conditions - not to go beyond the walls of the barracks in Crimea, not to influence people. Trains of people came from Moscow with money and sweet things about brotherhood. In Crimea, it was already difficult to find work and money at that time, industry froze, because it had a defense meaning, and there were no customers. the military units of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation offered many jobs, that was how people were influenced.

Difficult topics, it is impossible to write briefly. Ukraine was torn apart because of informational dope, because of economic traps and looting in the middle of the country. All these were parts of a single plan: destruction and gradual rapture. Age-old Russian plans have only one execution option: destruction, deception, capture.

Q2) Some athletes and artists call for peace, while others try to maintain good relations with Russian sports and art organizations, separating it from politics. What do you think about this?

Who said that a singer or an athlete, for example, should not think in their own way, have their own opinion on any matter? They are not robots, and apparently not intellectually disabled except that. Another thing: in the USSR, only very "handy" people had good jobs and careers. Therefore, this opinion originates from the time of the domination of a certain ideology. At all times in world history, people of any art spoke openly if they had a knack for it and a sharp mind. And they had a considerable influence on connoisseurs. Here I will remind you again: to influence the way the master ordered? To be a free person with an independent view of situations and events?

If we are talking about representatives of the Russian side, then you are asking me about options for interaction that are unacceptable today. As long as there is a war, while people from the enemy side do not sincerely express their own opinions, have a certain background regarding Ukraine and statements in support of the occupation of Ukraine, distortion of its history, refuse to call their own country and its army invaders and murderers, as it really is, sorry... About there can be no dialogue yet. I adhere to the idea of non-violent communication, but I am sure and firmly know that such measures begin with the recognition of the truth! Whatever it is. It is known about a very limited circle of artists who really support Ukraine, but they left Russia because of the risk to their lives and their families. Regarding the sincere people from the countries who today support the liberation movement of Ukraine and resistance to the invaders, which are also Japan and its people today, we respect everyone, and also express our sincere gratitude for the help.