Yokohama’s Reaction to the Russian Invasion and What We Can Do for Ukraine

日本語はこちら：ウクライナ情勢に対する横浜の対応と、私たちにできること

The news of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24th February devastated us. Innumerable fear, anger, confusion, and sadness surrounded the whole world.

The Ukrainian largest port town Odessa has been Yokohama’s sister city since 1965. Ukraine warned on 6th March that Russia was preparing to bomb the historic portland Odessa.

Our mayor Yamanaka and Yokohama City Council chairman Shimizu showed their disapproval of the Russian invasion in each protest statement on 25th February.

The Ciry of Yokohama “Special Management Consultation Service”

The City of Yokohama has established a “Special Management Consultation Service” for small and medium-sized enterprises that may be affected by the current war in Ukraine.

Suppose your business have a possibility of being affected by the current situation in Ukraine and need help. In that case, the Financial Section of the Economic Affairs Bureau, the Yokohama Corporate Management Support Foundation (IDEC Yokohama), and the Yokohama Credit Guarantee Association are your contact points for consultations on business management.

▽Financial management concern: the Financial Section of the Economic Affairs Bureau
-Business hour: Weekdays between 8:45 AM – 5 PM
-TEL: 045-662-6631

▽Any concern about business management: the Yokohama Corporate Management Support Foundation (IDEC Yokohama)
-Business hour: Weekdays between 9 AM – 5 PM
-TEL: 045-225-3711

▽Credit guarantees concern: the Yokohama Credit Guarantee Association
-Business hour: Weekdays between 9 AM – 5 PM
-TEL(Headquarters): 045-662-6623

Please find the detail of the support on the City of Yokohama website. (Japanese)

Support for Ukrainian Refugees and their families

For the refugees, their families, and anyone who want to support them and need help, the support office is now open to consult.

▽YOKOHAMA Foreign Residents Information Center
-Location: 5F Yokohama International Organization Center, Pacifico Yokohama, 1-1-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama
-Business hour： Weekdays 9 AM – 5 PM / 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month 10 AM – 1 PM （Closed on Sundays, and National holidays)
-TEL: 045-222-1209
-E-Mail: t-info@yoke.or.jp
-LINE: ＠565xgbpz
-Available Language: やさしい日本語 or English. Support in Ukrainian and Russian is being coordinated as of March 11th, 2022.)
※You can either talk in person, call, email, or LINE.

▽Yokohama International Lounges

The International Lounges provide living information and multilingual consultations for foreign residents. They are open to help now. The service varies depending on the location. Please check the web page and find your closest lounge.

Flowers and Donations for Ukraine

The Russian invasion has affected Ukrainian citizens’ lives and caused many casualties, and great support is needed.

When the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami occurred in Japan, the citizens of Odessa and the Odessa 60th School donated funds to the City of Yokohama, which presented to the Tōhoku areas through the City of Yokohama.

The city of Yokohama has set up a place to leave flowers and donation boxes at the City Hall and each ward office as condolence and prayer for peace to the citizens and victims in Ukraine. The donations will be sent for local assistance through Ukrainian Red Cross.

▽Date: March 10th, 2022 – May 11th
※The end date may be changed.
▽Time:
・Flowers(Only the city hall): 9 AM – 7 PM
・Docations(the city hall and each ward office): 9 AM – 5 PM (Closed on weekends and national holidays)
▽Place:
-The city hall: 1F lobby (in front of luxsfront）
-Ward office: vary on each office

Ukrainian Refugee Support Program “All-Yokohama Support Package”

On April 15th 2022, the city of Yokohama has announced the “All-Yokohama Support Package” for displaced Ukrainians moving into Yokohama, and with the generous cooperation of many individual private companies, organizations, and citizens. This program is to provide concrete support for those who have been forced to evacuate, and to help them adapt to living in Japan.

Examples of its assistance

• Hotel Accommodation: Provide temporary hotel accommodations (Yokohama Sakuragicho Washington Hotel), including 3 free meals per day, for the first few weeks.
• Starting Off: Support for paperwork at the ward office, opening a bank account, and obtaining a SIM card.
• Cost of Living: A lump-sum living allowance of 200,000 yen per person and an immediate living expense of 100,000 yen per person for up to 3 months (supported by Yokohama local companies)
• Daily Life: provide municipal housing for free up to 1 year. Support for daily necessities and job seeking,
• Schooling / Learning Japanese: Support for the elementary and junior high school enrollment of refugees. Provide interpreters and translators.

For inquiries about “All-Yokohama Support Package”, please contact the City of YokohamaInternational Relations Division / 国際局　国際連携課(email:ki-renkei@city.yokohama.jp)

The Yokohama Exchange Cafe “Drúzi”

Part of the All-Yokohama Support Package,” the city of Yokohama opened the Ukrainian Cafe “Drúzi*” on April 28th 2022. This is to provide the opportunity for refugees to exchange information in Ukrainian and to embrace requests and needs from refugees, citizens, local companies, and volunteers.
*Drúzi(Друзі) means “Friend” in Ukrainian

▽Place: Pacific Convention Plaza Yokohama5F (1-1-1, Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, 220-0012)
▽Opening Hour: Weekdays 10 AM – 5 PM, 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month 10 AM – 1 PM
▽Activity:
1)Providing Hospitality: Ukrainian refugees can freely have interact with local Ukrainian in their native language with peace of mind
2)Providing connection: Ukrainian refugees can join in events to interact with people and find connection.

For inquiries about “Drúzi”, please contact the City of YokohamaInternational Relations Division / 国際局　国際連携課(email:ki-renkei@city.yokohama.jp)
 

What we can do for Ukraine

Our sister media Zenbird has released a couple of articles to support Ukraine from overseas.

Ukraine in need: 3 things we can do for Ukrainians and ourselves

https://zenbird.media/ukraine-in-need-3-things-we-can-do-for-ukrainians-and-ourselves/

Japan’s citizens taking action of solidarity to help Ukraine’s crisis

https://zenbird.media/japans-citizens-taking-action-of-solidarity-to-help-ukraines-crisis/

We are thoughtfully praying for peace in Ukraine.

[Reference]Special business consultation service” for SMEs in the city due to the situation in Ukraine (Japanese)
[Reference]Prayers for peace in Ukraine: Flower stand and donation box at Yokohama City Hall and donation boxes at all ward offices! (Japanese)
[Reference]Consultation Service for Supporting Ukrainian Evacuees in Yokohama City (Japanese)
[Reference]Office of the City of Yokohama Representative to the Americas
[Reference]Ukrainian Refugee Support Program “All-Yokohama Support Package” (Japanese)
[Reference]The Yokohama Exchange Cafe “Drúzi” (Japanese)

• invasion, Japan, No War, Odessa, peace, port city, portland, Russia, Russian invasion, social issues, Ukraine, war, Yokohama

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室井梨那（Rina Muroi）

Rina is a positivity enthusiast who loves her hometown, Yokohama, and her second home, the U.S. She finds joy in making others happy through her creativity.

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