Syrian Refugees in Japan Bridge the Gap to Rebuild Their Homeland

Syrian Refugees in Japan Hope to Use Their Skills to Rebuild Their Homeland

More than a month has passed since the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria. Now, a group of Syrian refugees in Japan is hoping to use the skills and knowledge they've gained in Japan to help rebuild their homeland.

Maher Al Ayoubi, a 33-year-old IT worker in Tokyo, dreams of a better Syria. He fled to Turkey with his family during the civil war and later came to Japan in 2014. Unable to find an IT job, he worked as an English teacher until he met Yuki Sakashita, a 37-year-old who was moved by the plight of Syrian refugees.

Sakashita saw the potential in Syrian refugees and decided to treat them as partners in business. He connected with Al Ayoubi and Iskandar Salama, a 32-year-old web engineer who came to Japan through a JICA program. Together, they formed a company that takes on projects from Japanese firms, relying on four displaced Syrian engineers working remotely to develop websites and apps.

Despite cultural differences and initial challenges, the group has successfully navigated their collaboration. They are optimistic about the future, especially with the easing of sanctions on Syria. They aim to leverage technologies like electronic payments, robotics, and artificial intelligence to contribute to Syria's reconstruction.

Al Ayoubi and Salama are eager to use their knowledge and experience to help their homeland. Al Ayoubi plans to visit Syria annually, while Salama sees himself as a bridge between Japan and Syria. They are committed to playing a crucial role in rebuilding their country.