Skål International Tokyo (Chairman: Hisaaki Takei, Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide), a global membership organization of tourism professionals, presented the club’s donation supporting the people of Ukraine in a ceremony on May 9, 2022 at Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel (Shibuya, Tokyo).

Club members unanimously adopted the resolution to donate funds for Ukraine at the regular meeting in April.

Ms. Inna Ilina, Third Secretary, Economic and Cultural Affairs of the Embassy of Ukraine in Japan, accepted the donation on behalf of her country. In presenting the donation, club Chairman Takei said, "I hope it will be useful for supporting the people of Ukraine, and I hope that a peaceful day will come soon".

Ms. Ilina thanked the club saying, "Thank you everyone for supporting Ukraine. The Embassy has opened an account with a Japanese bank at the beginning of the invasion, and every day there are many donations. We receive support money and send it to Ukraine every day for humanitarian assistance”. She went on to emphasize the Ukrainian people’s determination explaining, “Ukraine is in a very difficult time now, but I feel your support very much, and your support resonates with the people of Ukraine. We Ukrainians must continue to do our best. We are not only protecting our own country, but also fighting for the people of the whole world". The room erupted in spontaneous applause.

The ceremony was followed by dinner which began with macaroons in the Ukrainian colors arranged as a surprise dish by the hotel chef. Ms. Ilina, who was also a Japanese teacher in Ukraine, is fluent in Japanese. Over dinner she conveyed that she is busy with embassy work while worrying about the current state of her country and her family remaining in Kiev. She told how children in Japan visit the embassy bringing their own pocket money to donate. She also shared Ukraine’s appeal as a travel destination.

Chairman Takei closed the meeting by saying, "We, the people involved in the tourism industry, will continue to support the people of Ukraine however we can. One idea is to consider providing delicious Ukrainian wine at our hotels”. He encouraged the members, many of whom are hotel general managers, to seek out and promote Ukrainian wine in their properties. Finally, members took a commemorative photo with Ms. Ilina.