Highlights
- Fumiya Takagaki has lived in Ukraine for 15 years
- Mr Takagaki has made the decision to stay in his Kyiv apartment, as he says he cannot leave his Ukrainian staff behind
- With his YouTube channel, called Ukraine Information, he hopes to show the cruel reality of war
“Why are you staying? Why aren’t you escaping?”
These are the common questions Fumiya Takagaki receives, after making the decision to stay in Kyiv, capital of Ukraine.
His Ukrainian wife and two young children have left Kyiv, and are now taking shelter 60km to the east in an underground car park near Boryspil International Airport.
However, Mr Takagaki has made the decision to stay in his Kyiv apartment, as he says he cannot leave his Ukrainian staff behind, many of whom are looking after their frail elderly parents.
“My wife is Ukrainian, my staff are all Ukrainians, I will not leave them behind and escape to Japan.”
If the time comes, he says he is "ready to fight" with the Ukrainians.
Takagaki, who has called Ukraine home for the past 15 years, says he is in disbelief of the situation surrounding him.
He is constantly hearing explosions and gun shots, yet says he is "used to it" and is not frightened anymore.
"If the apartment gets attacked, I will take shelter in the underground carpark," he tells SBS Japanese
Cars burnt down on February 27th as a result of shelling by the Russian army near a 16-story apartment building on Mykola Lavrukhin Street in Kyiv Source: Hennadii Minchenko/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Mr Takagaki is currently living on cheese and crackers, and will add a salad on his lucky days.
Although the large supermarkets are open during limited hours, food supply is low.
Petrol and cash are two things Mr Takagaki is struggling to get his hands on.
Despite the dire situation in Kyiv, Mr Takagaki is determined to stay in Ukraine, helping his fellow Ukrainians escape to safety, by providing the funds.
Mr Takagaki also started a YouTube channel, called Ukraine Information, hoping to show the world the cruel reality of war which Ukrainians are facing.
Smashed windows are seen as a result of shelling by the Russian army near a 16-story apartment building on Mykola Lavrukhin Street on February 27th in Kyiv Source: Hennadii Minchenko/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images
If people can see this reality, then they will understand that it [war] is wrong.
Mr Takagaki hopes that his YouTube posts would act as a catalyst for people to raise their voice against war.
"One by one, innocent people are dying as a result of continuing this futile war. I cannot stand this," he says.
"We want them to talk it out, not fight it out."
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