Promotion of Ukraine in Japan through the literature in the context of Russia’s full-scale invasion

Abstract

The article examines the development of Ukrainian publishing in Japan, its popularization, the publication of works by Japanese authors about Ukraine and the issue of awareness among Japan’s audience during the period before and after 2022. The study aims to analyze the integration of Ukrainian literary works into Japan’s cultural space. The article pays particular attention to Ukrainian-language literature in Japan and publications in Japan of scholarly works on Ukraine by both Japanese and Ukrainian authors.

The methodological framework is grounded in the principles of historicism and objectivity. The historical-chronological, comparative and narrative methods are employed to analyze the presence of Ukrainian literature in Japan before and after 2022.

The article confirms that Ukrainian book were largely invisible within the Japanese literary space, which is why the Ukrainian authors were almost unknown or little known in Japan, and their works did not exert influence in the context of Ukraine’s cultural diplomacy, and the phenomena inherent to Ukrainian culture could be mistakenly perceived as Russian. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, that situation has changed due to increased attention to Ukraine as a victim of aggression. The research also emphasizes the role of holding cultural events, particularly literary festivals, which help to deepen understanding of Ukrainian heritage in Japan.

The research confirms that Russia’s full-scale invasion has led to increased interest in Ukrainian literature in Japan. Various measures, including the expansion of translation activities, organization of literary events and cooperation with publishers can strengthen the position of Ukrainian literature within the Japanese cultural space and are essential in the future.

The scientific novelty lies in examining the literary representation of Ukraine in Japan before and after February 24, 2022.

The article is intended for historians, political scientists and anyone interested in Ukraine–Japan relations.