<![CDATA[Inspirational story of a Japanese boy]]>Japanese boy teaches lesson in sacrifice


THIS letter written by Vietnamese immigrant Ha Minh Thanh, working in Fukushima as a policeman, to a friend in Vietnam, was posted on New America Media on March 19. It is a testimonial to the strength of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of life near the epicenter of Japan 's crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was translated by NAM editor Andrew Lam,



Brother,

How are you and your family? These last few days, everything was in chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I also see dead bodies.

Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48 hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing folks.

We are without water and electricity, and food rations are near zero. We barely manage to move refugees before there are new orders to move them elsewhere.

I am currently in Fukushima , about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human relationships and behaviors during times of crisis.

People here remain calm - their sense of dignity and proper behavior are very good - so things aren't as bad as they could be. But given another week, I can't guarantee that things won't get to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection and order. They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do. The government is trying to provide supplies by air, bringing in food and medicine, but it's like dropping a little salt into the ocean.

Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to behave like a human being.

Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts

It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end of the line.I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn't be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father's car away.

I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn't make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about relatives.

The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That's when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. \"When it comes to your turn, they might run out of food. So here's my portion. I already ate. Why don't you eat it?\"

The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn't. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed.

I was shocked. I asked him why he didn't eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: \"Because I see a lot more people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the food equally.\"

When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn't see me cry.

A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be a great society, a great people.

Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours
of my shift have begun again.

Ha Minh Thanh

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/21066/inspirational-story-of-a-japanese-boyRSS for NodeSat, 25 Apr 2026 04:35:37 GMTFri, 08 Apr 2011 04:50:26 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Inspirational story of a Japanese boy on Sat, 09 Apr 2011 13:37:17 GMT]]>

Laughing:
After reading the thread, I know very well that my child will never do the same... So my next question is how can I instill a genuine love and concern for others in our kiasu & kiasi society? Sigh...

It will only happen if we start with the adults first,

Ah Gong, Ah Ma, Papa, Mama ,maid and teachers and every adults
the kids came in contact with. .......it take a village to educate A Child.....

And Laughing, you and me can start the ball rolling first ....Deal
:celebrate:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/396006https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/396006Sat, 09 Apr 2011 13:37:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Inspirational story of a Japanese boy on Sat, 09 Apr 2011 06:22:53 GMT]]>After reading the thread, I know very well that my child will never do the same… So my next question is how can I instill a genuine love and concern for others in our kiasu & kiasi society? Sigh…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395820https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395820Sat, 09 Apr 2011 06:22:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Inspirational story of a Japanese boy on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:55:27 GMT]]>

markfch:
Actually I believe the story. I've an old friend whose sis was married to a japanese. They have 4 kids.


You know what? When the kids go out to play, they will automatically pick up whatever litter they find in the streets. Apparently, there're not many dustbins near where they stay. So the kids will carry those rubbish all the way back home for disposal, to the chagrin of my friend's sis; but only because she's concerned with the contact with germs/bacteria.

These kids were inculcated by their dad to love their country since young.
It's in their culture. Part is civic consciousness n d cynical part of me also tends to second guess
dat public shame is a big thing to them n they r afraid of being ostracized.
u noticed they hv fewer dustbins but d public roads even in d neighbourhoods r kept clean by d citizens themselves?
No doubt they hv a great love for their country as d Fukushima disaster clearly demostrates.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395534https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395534Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:55:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Inspirational story of a Japanese boy on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:31:00 GMT]]>Actually I believe the story. I’ve an old friend whose sis was married to a japanese. They have 4 kids.


You know what? When the kids go out to play, they will automatically pick up whatever litter they find in the streets. Apparently, there’re not many dustbins near where they stay. So the kids will carry those rubbish all the way back home for disposal, to the chagrin of my friend’s sis; but only because she’s concerned with the contact with germs/bacteria.

These kids were inculcated by their dad to love their country since young.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395526https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395526Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:31:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Inspirational story of a Japanese boy on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:23:22 GMT]]>😢 😢 😢 😢


sad and touching 🙏 for the boy and the Japanese whom are still suffering

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395523https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395523Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:23:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Inspirational story of a Japanese boy on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:01:13 GMT]]>so touching that my tears welled up in my eyes…great selfless spirit of the boy!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395479https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395479Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:01:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Inspirational story of a Japanese boy on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 09:21:18 GMT]]>

lhoste:
Yes, a few days after reading this, my mind is still reeling from the sadness, the poignancy of it all. This young boy has done Japan proud. He has also lost his entire family. Imagine what he must be going through and yet, he still has his dignity and proper sense of upbringing.

I was hesitant to post dis coz I was a bit skeptical about d authenticity of d story.
Japan doesn't hv a liberal FT policy. r there Vietnamese policemen in Japan?
Even SG with its liberal FT policy doesn't put foreigners in law n order duties.
Not much by way of some specifics such as place name, etc.
Andrew is a short story writer and journalist after all. I don't see dis story carried anywhere else except in NAM.

But let's us not detract ourselves fr an inspirational story well told.
I hope it's true n d boy could be identified n be a poster boy for a good lesson in self sacrifice for d common good. :celebrate:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395404https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395404Fri, 08 Apr 2011 09:21:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Inspirational story of a Japanese boy on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:58:18 GMT]]>he has done his parents proud too

bless him and hope that he will be strong and able to get the best care that he deserves 🙏 🙏 🙏

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395341https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395341Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:58:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Inspirational story of a Japanese boy on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:53:52 GMT]]>Thanks for sharing.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395331https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395331Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:53:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Inspirational story of a Japanese boy on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 07:06:24 GMT]]>Thanks for sharing.. 😢

I can't wait to share with my kids tonight.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395131https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395131Fri, 08 Apr 2011 07:06:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Inspirational story of a Japanese boy on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 06:41:26 GMT]]>Yes, a few days after reading this, my mind is still reeling from the sadness, the poignancy of it all. This young boy has done Japan proud. He has also lost his entire family. Imagine what he must be going through and yet, he still has his dignity and proper sense of upbringing.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395107https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395107Fri, 08 Apr 2011 06:41:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Inspirational story of a Japanese boy on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 06:31:13 GMT]]>Thank you for sharing.


DH and I have been talking to DS about the Japan tragedy and even showed him clips.

I am going to share this with him later.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395096https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395096Fri, 08 Apr 2011 06:31:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Inspirational story of a Japanese boy on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 06:14:48 GMT]]>so touching.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395077https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395077Fri, 08 Apr 2011 06:14:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Inspirational story of a Japanese boy on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 05:29:31 GMT]]>Ihoste, u beat me to it. :celebrate:


Dis is d Editor's note:
Editor’s note: This letter, written by a Vietnamese immigrant working in Fukishima as a policeman to a friend in Vietnam, has been circulating on Facebook among the Vietnamese diaspora. It is an extraordinary testimony to the strength and dignity of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of life near the epicenter of Japan’s current crisis, the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was translated by NAM editor, Andrew Lam, author of East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres. His first book, Perfume Dreams, Reflections on the Vietnamese DIaspora won a 2006 Pen Award.

I was very touched when I read it.

PS Mod, maybe this shd be moved to the Fukushima thread?
😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395038https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/395038Fri, 08 Apr 2011 05:29:31 GMT