Japan has always been refugee-averse. Then Ukraine happened.

TOKYO — Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, refugee-averse Japan has accepted more than 1,300 people fleeing the conflict and provided social services to help them assimilate — a rare and surprising move that could mark a turning point for the country’s long-standing restrictions on those fleeing violence and persecution.

Since Japan’s prime minister formally announced the change on March 2 — just days after the invasion — the country has welcomed not only Ukrainians with relatives or acquaintances in Japan, but also anyone seeking shelter because of the conflict. Government agencies have been uncharacteristically generous in providing allowances, mental health support, language classes and housing to help Ukrainians adjust to their new lives.