Echoes Across the Ocean: Marking Three Years of Resistance in Tokyo

February 24 marks three years since the full-scale invasion began. While this date carries the weight of memory, at Bird of Light Ukraine, we chose to mark it with action.

The war is fought on the ground, but the fight for justice is global. This year, we bridged the distance between Kyiv and Tokyo to shine a spotlight on one of the most critical, yet underreported, aspects of this war: the 19,546 Ukrainian children forcibly taken from their homes.

Our initiative in Japan centered on the "Empty Beds" project. The title is stark and literal: it represents the physical void left behind in thousands of Ukrainian homes.

An empty bed is a powerful symbol. It signifies a space that is frozen in time, a family that is waiting, and a childhood that has been interrupted. It makes the statistic—19,546 missing children—impossible to ignore. These are not just numbers; they are sons and daughters whose places in their homes are still kept warm by hope.

Unlike a traditional art exhibition, our gathering in Tokyo was a dynamic forum for truth. We facilitated a direct dialogue between photographer Phil Buehler and Rostislav, a young Ukrainian with a powerful story to tell.

Rostislav stood before the Japanese media not merely as a witness, but as a voice for the thousands who have been silenced. Together with Phil, they shared the reality of what is happening in Ukraine—the systematic separation of children from their heritage and their families.

It was a moment of profound connection. To hear these stories firsthand transformed the "news" into a human reality for the audience in the room.

Our philosophy has always been to act as a bridge. In Tokyo, that bridge connected the plight of Ukrainian families directly to millions of Japanese households.

We strategically designed the event to engage Japan’s national media. The result was a powerful feature on NHK World Japan, reaching over 1 million viewers during prime time. By giving Rostislav a platform to speak, we ensured that the world cannot look away. Awareness is the first step toward action, and in Tokyo, the message was heard loud and clear.

Perhaps the most moving aspect of our journey to Japan was the "Children for Children" initiative.

We believe that empathy has no language barrier. We distributed special booklets designed for Japanese children, telling the stories of their Ukrainian peers who were taken. These stories found their way into kindergartens and schools, helping young readers understand the value of freedom and identity through the eyes of a friend they haven’t met yet.

A Global Promise

As we enter the fourth year of full-scale resistance, our resolve is stronger than ever. The support we felt in Tokyo proves that distance does not diminish responsibility.

Every shared story, every broadcast minute, and every booklet read brings us closer to the day when those beds are no longer empty. We will continue to speak up, to travel, and to fight until every child is returned.

Bring them home.

The fight to return Ukraine's stolen children requires legal, political, and public pressure. Help us keep this issue on the global stage.