Rehabilitation in Ukraine Gets a Boost from Japanese Robotics
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As the outcome of the war between Ukraine and Russia remains uncertain, a new initiative has begun to support wounded Ukrainians using Japanese medical technology. The effort involves helping individuals with brain injuries from bombings or gunfire relearn how to walk using a lightweight robotic walking aid. Professor Emeritus Rui Yuge of Hiroshima University and his team developed the device.
In Ukraine, many doctors are among those conscripted. Strained by staff shortages, this "Hinomaru medical technology" is making a vital contribution to the medical system.
At one of Ukraine's largest rehabilitation centers in Lviv, a 31-year-old man slowly made his way down a corridor, gripping a cane in his right hand.
He had been shot at close range by a Russian soldier and suffered a severe trauma to the right side of his head. The injury left the left side of his body paralyzed and confined him to a wheelchair. But on this day, something remarkable happened. Within ten minutes, his pace quickened, and he was soon walking without the cane.
Strapped to his left ankle was a lightweight robotic device called a RE-Gait.
Jointly developed by Dr Rui Yuge and a team at Waseda University, the RE-Gait walking assist robot uses a motor to support ankle movement, helping users regain independent mobility. Made from carbon fiber, it weighs just one kilogram. "We designed it to be both effective and as light as possible," Yuge said.
The RE-Gait device can be customized via tablet to match each patient's unique gait. This makes it suitable for a wide range of conditions, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, and knee osteoarthritis. It supports natural foot movement, such as lifting the toes and landing on the heel, while helping the brain relearn proper walking mechanics. This reduces abnormal patterns and promotes functional recovery. Dr Rui Yuge, Professor Emeritus at Hiroshima University (right), stands with Ukrainian physician Liubov Koloshynska (©Sankei by Nobuhiko Yamaguchi).
Since its domestic launch in 2016, Japanese medical institutions have used RE-Gait in more than 1,000 cases across. "When patients use RE-Gait for rehabilitation several times a week, they gradually develop a proper walking form," says Dr Yuge.
His decision to support war-torn Ukraine, under Russian invasion since February 2022, was partly shaped by his personal experience. Around 25 years ago, Yuge studied abroad in Canada. It was an experience that deepened his appreciation for international cooperation and cross-border medical support.
"I received a scholarship to study abroad, and it was Ukrainians at the university who supported me during that time," Dr Yuge recalled. "When I saw what was happening in Ukraine after the invasion, I felt compelled to give back using the technology I've developed."
Together with a Georgian neurosurgeon and an international NGO, he began exploring ways to provide direct support. In April 2025, he donated two RE-Gait units to the rehabilitation center in Lviv. "We've already received feedback that many patients are using the device," he said. "It's easy to use, and it delivers results quickly."
Before the donation, Ukrainian physician Liubov Koloshynska traveled to Japan to receive training on the device. She explained that patients from other destroyed medical facilities had been relocated to their center, leading to a severe staffing shortage. Technologies like RE-Gait, she added, have been an enormous help in managing the increased demand.
With conflicts affecting people worldwide, Dr Yuge hopes this initiative can go further. "I want to expand this support beyond Ukraine, working in partnership with governments and other organizations," he said.
Author: Nobuhiko Yamaguchi, The Sankei Shimbun
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