I Met Him
2005.02.08 21:57

I live in Fukuoka. Located in South-West Japan. Warm climate. Here is one of controversial constituencies.
Once Democratic Mr Koga was elected as a member of the House of Representatives by defeating an old sage polititan Mr Yamazaki two years ago. Mr Koga told us he was graduated from Pepperdine University, actually he was not. After that, public prosecutors tried to charge him but because he resigned the job, he was able to get away with criminal charges. Anyway, we have to choose another one. Mr Koga was 46 years old, relatively young. Democratic party announced publicly that it need someone who can be a candidate of this coming election, which will be held in April. And I raised my hand.
I have been noted as strange Japanese who only speaks strange English among foreigners here, but of course not famous in public.
10 people, some raised their hand and others were chosen from distinguished lawyers, financil analysts,etc. But finally 3 people were in the last line, then one was chosen by voting among those concerned. Indeed I was unable to be left in the last line.
Newly elected candidate is 37 years old, lawyer, graduated from the University of Notredom law school. Registered in Washington D.C. as a lawyer, etc. Obviously more suitable than me. I am bachelor, in both meanings.
Today was off. It was when I was riding a bicycle on the street that I came across him. He was, as we have heard already in the news, wheelchaired person.
Of course we hadn't seen each other, but we caught our eyes and talked. 'I heard you are lawer in the U.S. It was unusual and uneasy, how long did you stay in America?' I asked. 'Six years.' he replied. He told me -it was still he was in Japan's University student when he had a traffic accident which caused paraplegia, there was even no word like barrier free at that time, then he moved to America and fnally he got a degree.
He gave me a card, sayng come to his office. I left the word saying, 'in another occasion'.
Not only him but others who had physically handicapped sometimes made a great effort and get over the situation.
His counterpart Mr Yamazaki, now an adviser of Mr Prime Minister is also physically handicapped. He lost his one sight in his childhood.