I couldn't find a word for her crying. The damage caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine is also affecting the Russian people as a result of economic sanctions. Do sanctions, as politicians say, have the effect of deterring war? After the invasion, I interviewed Mr. Natasha (a pseudonym), a Russian student who arrived in Japan, and the question deepened further. [Yukako Ohno]
"Russia is not allowed to do Ukraine, but the worst thing the world has done so far is the Vietnam War, the air bombing of Somalia, etc. But was the United States held accountable? . The world is so harsh on Russia .... Now the world hates Russians. "
During the interview, Natasha suddenly cried and complained of indivisible thoughts. Due to economic sanctions, it has become impossible to receive remittances from Russian parents. He swallowed the words, saying, "It can't be helped because it's sanctions." Natasha is neither a supporter of Putin nor a military official. On the contrary, before coming to Japan, he tried to participate in a demonstration against the invasion without regard for danger.
Escape from Russia
The first time I talked to Natasha was in mid-April, about a month after she came to Japan. An innocent atmosphere with innocence. She responded to online interviews on condition of anonymity so that her family in Russia would not be at risk.
Natasha explained in fluent English about the corruption and insecurity of Russian politics. If you ask, you can speak French and German in addition to English.
Parents and grandmothers had long thought that Russia had no hope, hoping that Natasha would "escape" into a safe, high standard of living country. Her grandmother saved her grandson Natasha's study abroad expenses in euros.
However, major countries, including Japan, have excluded major Russian banks from the International Interbank Communications Association (SWIFT) as one of the sanctions against Russia. Natasha, who could not receive the remittance, was directly affected by the sanctions.
Even if you start a part-time job, you have no choice but to withdraw your tuition fees until you get paid. Since I entered Japan with a student visa, I will not be able to stay in Japan if I cannot pay the tuition fees. It is said that the cash on hand that he brought in with difficulty is running out.
I can't help if I can't meet my family
Before considering sanctions, I would like to introduce Mr. Natasha's growth history and lifestyle in Japan.
Natasha is attending a Japanese language school in preparation for a university entrance exam in Japan. He says he wants to study Japanese and another language at university and eventually get a job in Japan. Japan, which is safe and has many opportunities for employment, is said to have been a country that I have longed for since I was a child.
"I'm not going back to Russia. If I come back now, I may never come back to Japan. I won't be able to see my family anymore. I think it can't be helped."
The family is busy sending Natasha to study abroad, and it is extremely difficult to come to Japan because it is difficult to move to a foreign country or even pay for travel expenses.
It was a heavy story that I couldn't meet my family, but the tone was surprisingly light. Maybe I can't afford to get damp. Natasha, whose back was pushed by his family and came "escape", wants to lay the foundation for life in Japan. He was overwhelmed by his strong determination.
I was shaken
Late April. Natasha, who met over the computer for the first time in two weeks, didn't seem to have changed at first. She said he started working part-time at restaurants and language schools and went to school on cheap bikes. He had a busy day at school during the day and a part-time job at night, but his expression was lively.
Since I couldn't receive the remittance of international remittance, I used to pay rent and food expenses with the money I took out of Russia until I got a part-time job.
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