NHK has learned the University of Tokyo will temporarily accept students and researchers facing difficulty continuing their academic work in a safe environment due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The university says it is preparing to accept up to dozens of individuals regardless of their nationality. But it will flexibly consider the upper limit, depending on future developments.

The university plans to offer help for acquiring residency status and to cover the cost of travel to Japan.

It will provide students and researchers about 80,000 yen, or roughly 660 dollars, per month in living costs for up to one year. It will also offer Japanese-language lessons and counseling services.
The university will screen applicants based on academic programs to be provided by its faculties, graduate schools and other institutes. The programs will continue until the end of March next year and will include research guidance by teachers.

Application guidelines will be posted on the university's website on Wednesday. More information will be added as soon as it becomes available.

The university plans to set up an emergency humanitarian aid fund to solicit donations for students and researchers in the programs.