A railway operator in the western Japanese city of Takamatsu started Tuesday running a train in the Ukrainian flag colors, in a move to show solidarity with the war-torn country and its railway staff who have been operating trains amid the ongoing conflict.

The two-car train wrapped in yellow- and blue-colored sheets, operated by Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad Co., also bore messages saying "We stand with you," "To the Ukrainian railway operators working to protect people's lives-" and "We wish for world peace" on both sides.

Photo taken on April 19, 2022, shows a Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad Co. train painted in the yellow and blue colors of the Ukrainian national flag in the Kagawa Prefecture city of Takamatsu, western Japan, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Kyoko Imai, a 35-year-old employee of the operator who came up with the idea of coloring a train, said she wanted to "do something to show respect to the (railway) staff who are working at the risk of their lives" in Ukraine as Russia's invasion of the country continues.

The operator, also known as Kotoden, in Kagawa Prefecture is planning to sell stickers of the train and donate the whole amount of the sales to the Ukrainian Embassy in Japan.

Railway services in the Eastern European country have been in operation to move people to safe places and deliver necessities since the invasion started on Feb. 24.

The trains run by the operator are originally in yellow color at the bottom.

Photo taken on April 19, 2022, shows a Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad Co. train painted in the yellow and blue colors of the Ukrainian national flag in the Kagawa Prefecture city of Takamatsu, western Japan, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo