Irina Honcharova stands in front of the ruined buildingof Kadonowaki Elementary School, which has beenpreserved as a warning to posterity about the dangers ofcatastrophic earthquakes. “We will never forget thecountries and people who have supported us,” shedeclares. Her greatest wish at the moment is to return toa peaceful homeland.

UKRAINIANEVACUEE ANDTSUNAMI-HIT CITY

Ishinomaki

SHARE BOND OF EMPATHY

A Ukrainian woman who fled the Russian invasion foundherself in Ishinomaki, a city devastated by the giant
earthquake of March 2011. Warmly supported by the local
people, she speaks about the importance of human life andher desire for peace.
Visitors to the former Kadonowaki Elementary
School in the town of Ishinomaki in Miyagi
Prefecture, part of Japan’s Tohoku region innorthern Honshu, are struck by the charred ruinsof its three-story building. The site lies less thana kilometer from the sea in an area devastated by
the earthquake of March 11, 2011 (the Great East
Japan Earthquake), and was engulfed in flames whenhouses, cars, and other debris were swept around itby a tsunami that carried along a trail of fire. The
schoolchildren had fortunately taken refuge on a hillbehind the school and were thus all saved.
The damaged building has been preserved andis now open to the public as the Ishinomaki City
Kadonowaki Elementary School Ruins, standing as areminder and a lesson for future generations of theterrible power of tsunamis and tsunami-triggeredfires.
A regular visitor to the school since September
Honcharova is a volunteer at
the ruins of Kadonowaki
Elementary School, where shetalks to visitors about her own
country. She speaks to them in
Ukrainian with the help of an
AI interpreter and sings
Ukrainiansongs
whenrequested.

2022 has been Irina Honcharova, a Ukrainian evacuee
who fled the Russian invasion of her homeland lastyear. She goes there in order to speak to people about
the preciousness of human life. Originally she had
lived in Chernihiv, a city in northern Ukraine thatcame under fierce attack by the Russian armed forces,
forcing her to shelter in an apartment cellar withoutwater or electricity.
After the Russian siege was lifted, she immediately
fled to Poland. Then, when the Japanese government
announced that it would accept evacuees,
Honcharova came to the country in April of last year
along with her then 86-year-old mother. They chose
Ishinomaki City because her son lives there with his
Japanese wife, and both have helped them to settle inthe community.
Three Ukrainians, including Honcharova and hermother, now live in Ishinomaki. The city assists themwith living and medical costs and also provides themwith a place to live. OSU Mitsuko, who works in thecity’s health and welfare department, says that herexperiences during the earthquake of 12 years ago
have helped her in dealing with the city’s present
support of evacuees. “Victims of catastrophe hesitate
to express their real concerns. Honcharova was thesame way, saying, ‘Oh, I’m fine, I’m fine.’ So rather
than repeatedly asking if they have problems, it’smore important for us to be there for them until they
can open their hearts and begin to speak up.”
Honcharova says she is grateful for the city’swarmhearted support. “Here, everyone wants to help
us. I am especially thankful that someone from thecity office is always there to offer support. They founda wheelchair for my mother, and they take her toadult daycare. I cannot thank them enough. At NewYear’s, I was so happy to receive many pictures fromschool children expressing their heartfelt prayers forUkraine.”
Interacting with Honcharova and finding her to betalkative, Osu thought it would be good for her toconnect with other people as well. Thus, she suggested
that Honcharova volunteer at the Kadonowaki

Left: Ishinomaki was among the cities most devastated by the tsunami ofMarch 2011, with nearly 4,000 people either dead or missing. THE GREAT EAST
JAPAN EARTHQUAKE ARCHIVE OF MIYAGIAbove: Ishinomaki Minamihama Tsunami Memorial Park is located in adistrict that suffered extensive damage. The park opened in 2021 tocommemorate the victims of the earthquake and tsunami, to pass on thememories and lessons, and to express the city’s firm determination to rebuild,
both at home and abroad. ARC IMAGE GALLERY/ AMANAIMAGES

Elementary School ruins. She now goes there twicea month to speak to visitors about Ukrainian culture
and society and to voice her desire for peace.
Honcharova taught at an elementary school in her
native country for more than a quarter of a century.
“For all teachers, school is a kind of home,” she says.
“Tears came to my eyes when I first saw the remains ofKadonowaki Elementary School. It made me think of
all the destroyed schools in Ukraine. The destructionof a school is like the destruction of a home. It is sodevastating,” she sighs.
“Every human being has the right to live,”
Honcharova says emphatically. “Military invasions
and natural calamities are not the same thing. But thepeople of Ishinomaki and I share feelings that only
those who have suffered can feel.”
March 2023 marks the 12th anniversary of theGreat East Japan Earthquake. Ishinomaki, as it
continues on its way to reconstruction, stands firmly
in support of Ukraine and shares in its desire tocherish human life.
Honcharova is outgoingand eager to socialize
with local residents.
Here, she is all smiles as
she learns to play thekoto, a traditional Japanesezither-like instrument, ata neighbor’s home.