Meeting with OHANA, Where Dreams Become Reality - Reflecting on What I Work Hard for

People without dreams and illusions perish. Do I really have a dream? In the midst of our fast-paced daily lives, we suddenly realize that time is ticking away. I even worry that one day I may find myself in a coffin. To dispel such wild thoughts, it is important for me to have positive dreams.

Many dreams, small and big, are running through my mind, but nowadays, my dream is to spend my hard-earned money to the fullest for children in underprivileged environments. To begin with, there are not many things I want to buy. I don't like shopping. There is nothing I really want. The last time I bought a guitar was 45 years ago. I wear my pants until they are in tatters. I wear shoes for 20 years until the soles fall off. I have never thought of leaving money to my children. If it weren't for the boring law of estate succession, I would think it best not to let them inherit a penny. Unfortunately, half of the money must be left to the children. It is imperative for each of us to work and earn our own living.

Therefore, I want to make good use of the money I have saved from my own work without saving it. With this in mind, I also operate the Sound House Children's Mirai Foundation. This is because I believe it is important for not only individuals but also the company’s responsibility to take the initiative in contributing to society by making monthly donations to those in need. Personally, however, I have been away from social welfare activities for nearly 35 years, and as I get older, my ability to take action gradually declines. I give myself a pep talk and say, "I'm not done yet!” as I travel around the country.

Perhaps it’s because I move around so rapidly in the midst of the daily battle with myself, but I am blessed with the many people that I meet. One of the most extreme is the encounter with Mirai Itakura, whom I met for the first time yesterday. I had been thinking for half a year that I wanted to support such a person and meet her as soon as possible. I met up with her at a "run-in temple" in Kabukicho, Shinjuku. What is that? What is a "run-in temple"? Well, I'll leave that story for another time. In a word, Kabukicho is a place where, when you think, "Oh no!" and “This is shady”, so sometimes you need a safe area where you can run to.

In this Kabukicho, Miki has met many children and has been busy reaching out to them. Kabukicho is not just a downtown area, but has become a hangout for young people, a place of temptation, and a breeding ground for crime. Yes, it is no longer the lively place for businessmen in the Showa period, but it’s now a huge plaza where young people are all mingling and hanging out together. Many children have come to Tokyo from the countryside. Some of them are already alcoholics or drug addicts, and many of them are selling their bodies for a living. In more recent times, gender doesn’t even matter. Boys are also offering their bodies for sale as well. Miki is doing her best to bring light to this dark world and save as many children as possible.

Based in Niigata, Japan, Mirai san runs a children's cafeteria called OHANA. She extends her hand of love not only to children, but also to grandparents who live alone, people with disabilities, and those who have no relatives and are forced to live in poverty due to illness. Her important message to everyone is "Thank you for being born.” She gives that message to the children living in the facility and gives them hugs. It is impossible not to be moved by Miki's way of life as she lives with these children. She also provides animal therapy to heal emotionally traumatized children, and she values exciting and moving experiences.

Its mission is "the Infirmary in the Forest”. This place is such a precious house that can be a place where children who are hurting both mentally and physically can heal, where abused children can be healed, where homeless children can be safe, where abusive mothers can heal, and where elderly people can have a friendly place to stay. Furthermore, they are actively working on a system to follow up on children who have to leave the facility after they turn 18. This is because there is no end to the number of children who become a homeless youth or disappear into the nightlife after leaving the facility and are swept away by the waves of the real world.

It is valuable to meet Mirai san, who is doing such a wonderful job. Not only does it make me aware of the value of the foundation's existence, but it also makes me want to be more proactive in my own personal efforts to support the foundation. This is an exciting and thrilling moment, and I am glad that I have worked so hard on this project. Now, I have a meeting with Mirai san and I am looking forward to seeing what kind of developments await us. At the same time, I feel a sense of responsibility, and I also have to be mindful of my time. I am grateful if I can do even one thing for people and children with the limited time I have in this life.

Kabukicho's Japan Run-in Temple