The KOI program 2027
Investing in the people who will shape Ukraine’s relationship with Japan.
Short-Term Program in Japan for Ukrainian High School Students
In the summer of 2026, nine Ukrainian high school students and two teachers from the Budokan School of Eastern Languages and Martial Arts in Lviv spent three weeks in Japan.
They came from a school where Japanese language, culture and martial arts form part of a long-term educational programme. For many of the students, Japan had been present in their lives for years — through language study, books, teachers and training — but had remained distant. The purpose of KOI was to turn that abstract knowledge into lived experience.
But our goal goes beyond a short-term study experience.
We are building relationships for Japan and Ukraine 10 and 20 years from now.
Today’s 15- and 16-year-olds will become the next generation of professionals, researchers, educators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. We hope their experiences and friendships in Japan will remain with them throughout their lives.
At the same time, we want young people in Japan to know Ukraine not only as a country in the news, but as a country where their friends live.
These personal connections can become the foundation for future cooperation in education, culture, research, business, local communities, and diplomacy.
About the Project
The project was initiated and is led by Mariya Koropenko, originally from Crimea, Ukraine.
Having moved from Ukraine to Japan in 2014 and experienced education in Japan herself, she understands how studying abroad and encountering another society can influence a young person’s future.
In 2026, she launched the first program to offer this opportunity to Ukrainian students continuing their education during wartime.
NPO Ukraine House Japan supports the project as its official supporting organization and receives donations on behalf of the program.
The First Program — 2026
From July 19 to August 9, 2026, nine students and two teachers from a school in Lviv participated in the first three-week program.
The students studied Japanese intensively at Tokyo International Japanese Language Academy and immediately put their language skills into practice in everyday life.
They also met Japanese high school and university students through school visits, individual exchanges, and discussions. Rather than creating a one-way relationship based on “support,” the program encouraged young people from both countries to meet as equals and learn from one another.
The students practiced Japanese martial arts at local dojos and experienced Japanese culture through visits to temples and shrines, as well as a stay in Kyoto.
They also explored Japanese society beyond tourism, learning about local government, cities, environmental issues, and community life. These experiences encouraged them to think not only about Japan, but also about the future of Ukraine.
Beyond the 2026 Program
At the end of the program, the students presented what they had learned and how their perspectives had changed.
All nine students and two teachers safely returned to Ukraine on August 9, 2026—but the relationships they built in Japan continue.
Back in Lviv, students have already participated in exchanges with visitors from Japan and shared their experiences with others.
Our goal is for this program to be more than a memory of visiting Japan. We want it to become the beginning of relationships that continue for decades.
Why High School Students?
International relationships are not built by governments alone. They grow through schools, universities, businesses, communities, culture, research—and above all, through people.
High school is a particularly important time, when young people are forming their worldview and thinking about their future.
A friendship formed at 15, a first visit to Japan, or a conversation with a Japanese student or teacher can influence future choices in education, careers, research, and international cooperation.
The true impact of this program may only become visible ten years from now.
That is why we are building these relationships today.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Preparations for the 2027 program are already underway.
Building on what we learned in 2026, we aim to deepen exchanges with Japanese students, strengthen preparation before the visit and activities after returning to Ukraine, and develop long-term partnerships with schools, universities, companies, communities, and individuals in Japan.
Our goal is not simply to bring another group of students to Japan. We want to create a growing network connecting participants from different years with young people and educational institutions in both countries.
Over time, we hope each generation of participants will help support the next.
Your Support Makes This Possible
A safe, three-week educational program in Japan requires significant funding, including:
International airfare
Japanese-language tuition
Accommodation and transportation
Educational and cultural activities
Travel insurance and safety management
Program coordination
The 2026 program cost approximately ¥7.2 million.
It would be difficult for participating families to cover these costs alone. The first program was made possible through donations, sponsorships, and in-kind support from organizations and individuals.
For 2027, we are seeking support so that motivated Ukrainian students can participate regardless of their families’ financial circumstances.
How Donations Are Used
Donations will support the 2027 program, including airfare, Japanese-language education, accommodation, transportation, educational and cultural activities, insurance, and safety management.
They will also help us maintain the network of schools, educational institutions, and communities established in 2026 and develop long-term connections between young people in Japan and Ukraine.
Ukraine House Japan and the Project
The Ukrainian High School Students Short-Term Study Program in Japan was initiated and is managed by Mariya Koropenko.
NPO Ukraine House Japan supports the project as its official supporting organization and provides an organizational framework, including receiving donations.
The program is made possible through cooperation between Mariya Koropenko, Ukraine House Japan, and the many schools, companies, organizations, communities, and individuals who support its mission.
You can view more updates on this project on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaLPkk3yKsjU