“Akko-chan,” my mum, aged 81, schizophrenia, is gradually growing weaker. It may not be today or tomorrow, and probably not even a year from now, but the day of saying “goodbye” is certainly drawing near. The time I can spend with Akko-chan is limited. Since there is so little time left, I want to do whatever I can to show my gratitude and respect. I want her to live out her remaining years peacefully, and I will do whatever it takes to make that happen. I will give it my all.

My mum’s vitality comes from the time she spends with her granddaughters. So, I want to increase that time as much as possible. Perhaps because I don’t have a wife or children, these two nieces are especially dear to me. It’s been 14 years since they evacuated and left Fukushima after the 3.11 disaster. The time my Mum spent with them has been limited. The four years during the pandemic, when they couldn’t meet, was a big blow. Now is the time to recover what was lost during that period.

I’ve decided to think carefully about what I can do for my Mum and nieces and take action. “If I change, the world changes.” I believe in ‘yuishiki.’ Small actions can bring big changes. Time is limited. I will face it with all my effort, doing what I can now, and doing what should be done now. That is the filial piety I can offer and a step forward toward the future.