Varvara Mukhina*

Associate Professor

Russian Studies

This study explores the evolving dynamics of community formation, mobilization, and fragmentation among Russian-speaking migrants in Japan over the past two decades. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, migration from former Soviet states to Japan increased steadily, with a marked rise in the early 2000s. As this diaspora remained geographically dispersed, online platforms became vital for fostering connection.

The paper investigates how pivotal global and regional events—such as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine—shaped the structure and solidarity of the Russian-speaking community in Japan. Drawing on a longitudinal methodological approach that includes participant observation (2006–2023), in-depth interviews, online surveys, and digital ethnography, the research illustrates how transnational crises reverberate through migrant communities. By analyzing the interplay between external political disruptions and internal community responses, the study highlights patterns of resilience, identity negotiation, and social fragmentation. The findings contribute to broader discussions on how geopolitical and social upheavals in migrants’ countries of origin impact their lives abroad, emphasizing the significance of digital spaces and networks in sustaining migrant solidarity.

Keywords: Russian-speaking migrants, digital communities, social resilience, Japan, transnational crises

*Co-authored paper. Co-authors: Viktoriya Kim, Ksenia Golovina