Ukrainians celebrate 75th birthday of Japanese man who opened free cafe for them
[Source]
Ukrainians recently celebrated the 75th birthday of the Japanese man who earlier this year opened a free cafe for those in need in the city of Kharkiv amid the Russian invasion.
Background: Fuminori Tsuchiko was visiting Ukraine as a tourist in February 2022 when Russian forces broke into the country. After the Japanese embassy told him to evacuate, he moved to Poland but returned two months later.
Tsuchiko spent the next seven months underground, living with Ukrainians in subway stations and helping distribute food for them. He then teamed up with a Ukrainian friend to find a better way to help others.
The result was FuMi Caffe, which they set up in Kharkiv’s Saltivka neighborhood in April. Funded by donations, the cafe currently serves free hot meals to about 1,000 people every day.
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Best birthday ever: On Sunday, Anton Gerashchenko, Ukraine’s former deputy minister of internal affairs, shared a now-viral video on X showing Kharkiv residents surrounding Tsuchiko for his 75th birthday. He also revealed that the Japanese senior had sold his home in Japan to move to Kharkiv.
Kharkiv residents wish Happy Birthday to Fuminori Tsuchiko. He sold his home in Japan and moved to Kharkiv to open a cafe in the city. The cafe offers free hot meals to about 1,000 people a day.
Thank you, Sir! Happy birthday! https://t.co/G0A1bt6uej pic.twitter.com/An1rgnLwTf
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— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) October 14, 2023
Tsuchiko shared the video on his own X page, calling it “the best birthday of my life.” He also posted a clip of himself receiving a Kharkiv “Hero” award from the mayor’s office.
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【FuMi Caffe.ハルキウ市から表彰されました】
マンスリーサポーター、残り41名
ご支援をお願い致します。https://t.co/VOJ0BFbPmu誕生日、市長補佐官の方が来店されました。
ハルキウ市“英雄“賞です。
国、州、市から表彰された。全て、日本の支援者の皆様の受賞です。
ありがとうございます。 pic.twitter.com/CdQMp423oGTrending on NextShark: TikToker reacts to tasting Indian food for first time: 'That should be a crime'
— 土子文則@ウクライナ🇺🇦滞在中 (@OR2v2) October 12, 2023
Reactions: X users flooded Tsuchiko with birthday greetings.
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“Happy birthday, Mr. Tsuchiko! You are an inspiration and a blessing to Kharkiv and the world. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. You have made a difference in so many lives,” one user wrote.
Another commented, “Happy birthday, Mr. Fuminori Tsuchiko. You are a true hero and encourage many of us in this world to support Ukraine.”
“Happy birthday! Thank you for your work and kindness in such a difficult time,” another noted.
