In the case of the deportation of a well-known Japanese volunteer, a new twist has emerged: a journalist uncovered some troubling facts.

Recently, a scandal erupted in Ukraine involving the well-known Japanese volunteer Fuminori Tsuchiko, who was unable to extend his residence permit in the country. Ultimately, the mayor of Kharkiv intervened, allowing him to remain.

However, ICTV journalist Tatyana Dotsyak brought attention to other aspects of the volunteer's biography. She shared her thoughts on Facebook.

In particular, she notes that Fuminori Tsuchiko was imprisoned 16 years ago for stealing Nintendo DS consoles, which he himself confirmed in a conversation with Japanese media.

The journalist added that she came across discussions on social media where Japanese people questioned whether it was wise to trust funds to someone with a criminal past. She also mentioned that she had seen other reports regarding Fuminori Tsuchiko's dishonesty but lacked evidence to support them.

"And I visit the site where he raises funds to 'feed Ukrainians,' telling stories about 'hungry evacuees from Kharkiv' in the metro, who have been abandoned, 'hungry soldiers,' and 'hungry children.' Yet, I remember how volunteers consistently brought food and hygiene products, blankets, and medications to the subway," she wrote.

The journalist also noted that one of the Japanese volunteer's closest associates cut ties with him due to a loss of trust. Additionally, she recalled an incident involving a charity café that the volunteer opened with a local resident named Natalia, where both were accused of financial misconduct by each other.

As a reminder, in 2023, 75-year-old Fuminori Tsuchiko opened FuMi Caffe in Saltivka and provided meals for Kharkiv residents at his own expense. Later, benefactors began assisting him by covering part of the expenses. Daily, the Japanese volunteer and his team prepare around 600 meals for the people of Kharkiv.

As previously reported, a scandal occurred in Lithuania when a map was found in a bookstore depicting Ukraine without some of its territories.