TOKYO -- A cafe in the capital's Shibuya Ward that has been supporting Ukrainian evacuees recently launched a "children's cafeteria" offering low-cost meals to kids.

Once a month, the facility normally frequented by adults provides regular menu meals to children for 500 yen (about $3.30) each -- and the smiles participating children abound.

Cocorogoto Cafe, which operates under the concept of "nourishing the heart and body," began providing the low-cost meals to children in September. The cafe, where a counseling psychologist is always present, is also dedicated to supporting Ukrainian evacuees who arrived in Japan following Russia's military invasion in 2022, fostering a space for interaction between Ukrainians and patrons.

The children's cafeteria is operated with the help of the certified nonprofit organization Musubie, which supports such facilities. In the October event, starting at 7 p.m., four families totaling 10 people came and ordered dishes such as pasta and rice omelets. Participating mothers expressed gratitude, with one saying, "With my husband coming home late and me just returning from maternity leave, I'm managing everything alone every evening. It's a relief to have even one less chore to do."

Currently, nine Ukrainian evacuees work at the cafe. Among them are individuals whose hometowns have been occupied by Russian forces or destroyed in the conflict. As the war drags on, the facility is making efforts to support these individuals in building a life in Japan, including language study and mental health care.

"Here you go," said Victoria, 24, who came to Japan from the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, bowing deeply as she served food to a table. "Everyone is so cute. It makes me think of my own family," she commented. Her parents are internally displaced in western Ukraine. "I don't know when I'll see them next, but I hope it will be in the spring," she said.

(Japanese original by Daisuke Wada, Photo and Video Department)