Japan To Fly 20 Ukrainian Evacuees To Safety
Japan's foreign minister has made arrangements for 20 Ukrainians who fled the Russian invasion of their country to fly to Japan from Poland.
Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa told reporters in Poland on Monday that a government-chartered plane will take them to Japan. The flight is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo before noon on Tuesday.
Hayashi is in Poland as a special envoy of Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to make preparations for receiving Ukrainian evacuees in Japan.
On the last day of his visit on Monday, he separately met with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, and Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau.
The two sides agreed to share the latest information on Ukraine and work in tandem to support Ukrainians who have been forced to evacuate.
After wrapping up his visit to Poland, Hayashi told reporters that the 20 Ukrainians did not have a means of making their way to Japan despite their wish to do so. He said the decision was made on humanitarian grounds. He said the government will provide support so they can feel safe and secure in a country far away from their home.
He said along with the central government, many companies and local governments are offering assistance for Ukrainians. He said government officials would work closely with the people of Japan in this regard.