A survey by a private foundation in Japan has found that an increasing number of evacuees from Ukraine in the country wish to extend their stay.

The Nippon Foundation has been carrying out online surveys of Ukrainian evacuees in Japan who are 18 years old or over. The latest survey, the third of its kind, took place between March and June this year. It received 1,077 responses.

When asked whether they wished to return to their home country, 33.1 percent said they want to stay in Japan as long as possible, whereas 39.4 percent said they want to remain in Japan until the situation in Ukraine settles down.

The combined total of 72.5 percent is 7 percentage points higher than on the previous survey that was held between November and December last year.

By contrast, 2.7 percent replied they wish to return as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, 42.5 percent replied they were working in Japan, while 57.5 percent replied they were not.

This marks a 3 percentage point rise in the number of those that are working. At the same time, some 60 percent said they are looking for jobs.

On the subject of whether they spoke Japanese or not, more than 80 percent said they hardly speak the language, or they can speak a little Japanese.

Saji Kana of Nippon Foundation Support for Evacuees from Ukraine says more people seem to be working or seeking jobs so they can stay in Japan for extended periods.

She added acquiring Japanese language skills is also a challenge, and there is a need to build a support system in communities where the evacuees reside.