Having drawn attention by holding a major rally in Tokyo two days after the Russian invasion, Ukrainians in Japan continue to seek support as they worry about their family and friends back in their home country.

Here are some of their photos and remarks.

Iryna Kulbanska wipes away tears on Feb. 26, 2022, during a rally in Tokyo's Shibuya area. (Kyodo)

"I feel anxious as I don't know what might happen next," said Iryna Kulbanska from the Luhansk oblast in eastern Ukraine during the rally, where she sang the country's anthem. She expressed concern over her parents who remain in the capital Kyiv.

About 2,000 people came together via social media and filled a square in front of Shibuya Station on Feb. 26. Ukraine's national anthem, also known by a title that translates as "Ukraine has not yet perished," resonated during the event.

Protestors hold banners with messages such as "Stop the war!" and "Stand with Ukraine," on Feb. 26, 2022, in Tokyo's Shibuya area. (Kyodo)

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In Kawasaki, near Tokyo, Yuliya Sidorenko, 42, said, "It's like a bad dream. I still can't believe it."

She had fled to the residence of her Japanese husband with 13-year-old son Aiki from Poltava in central Ukraine in mid-February, before Moscow's Feb. 24 military attack.

Yuliya Sidorenko (L) and Aiki look into a smartphone for news about the Russian invasion and information from home on social media in Kawasaki, near Tokyo, on Feb. 28, 2022. (Kyodo)

"There has been damage everywhere and I'm so confused," Sidorenko said, revealing that she cannot sleep at night thinking of the dangers and fear suffered by people back home with whom she has lost contact.

"People are killed and families are ripped apart," she said, adding, "Ukraine is a small country. I want the world to protect it with us."

At another rally on March 5 in Shibuya, a Russian woman who joined her Ukrainian friend of 20 years said, "Everyone wants to be free, and wanting to be rich is the same in every country. Please don't hate Russia."

A Russian woman hugs her Ukrainian friend and sheds tears on March 5, 2022, in Tokyo's Shibuya area. (Kyodo)

Mila Yakovenko, 9, who was handing out flyers that describe Ukraine's situation to passersby, said, "When I grow up, I want to be a singer and sing a song for peace."

Mila Yakovenko walks through downtown holding flyers on Ukraine's situation on March 5, 2022, in Tokyo's Shibuya area. (Kyodo)

Maryna Amauri said she dreams of her family going back to Ukraine someday, hoping that her 3-year-old daughter Jasmine will live in her hometown "free of conflict."

Maryna Amauri (R) holds up and kisses Jasmine on March 5, 2022, in Tokyo's Shibuya area. (Kyodo)

At a church near the Russian Embassy in Tokyo, some 20 Ukrainians gathered on March 6 to pray for peace and mourn the victims of the Russian invasion in a "Sunday service of forgiveness" held at the suggestion of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Natalya Kovalova, 59, whose brothers are staying in Kyiv and their families have evacuated to shelters where food is insufficient amid shelling and air raids, lit a candle and closed her eyes in front of the altar.

"I can never forgive Russia for destroying the houses, shops and towns back home," she said. "God, don't let go of Ukraine, and the world."

Natalya Kovalova is pictured in a church in Tokyo's Minato Ward on March 6, 2022. (Kyodo)

Demonstrations to protest against the invasion have also been organized elsewhere across Japan. 

People from Ukraine stage a protest rally near the Russian Embassy in Tokyo on Feb. 23, 2022, following Moscow's recognition of two pro-Russian separatist regions in eastern Ukraine and an order of troop deployments there. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

People gather in front of Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, western Japan, on Feb. 26, 2022, to protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with signs reading "Stop the war" and "No nukes." (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

People hold candles during a protest in Kyoto, western Japan, against Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 27, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
 
People gather in front of the Consulate General of Russia in Osaka in the western Japan city of Toyonaka on Feb. 28, 2022, to protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

People march in the northeastern Japan city of Sendai in protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine on March 5, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Ukrainian people in Hiroshima protest against Russia's invasion of their country in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome in the western Japan city on March 5, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

People protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine during a rally in Osaka on March 5, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

People stage a rally in the northern Japan city of Sapporo on March 6, 2022, to protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

People march in the central Japan city of Nagoya on March 6, 2022, to protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

People rally in the western Japan city of Kyoto on March 6, 2022, to protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

People gather at Peace Park in Nagasaki, southwestern Japan, on March 6, 2022, to protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

People gather in Tokyo's Shinjuku area on March 6, 2022, to protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

People gather near the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, western Japan, on March 8, 2022, to protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with lit candles reading "NO WAR NO NUKES." (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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