Interviewed & written by Isao Tokuhashi
Mail to: itokuhashi@myeyestokyo.com
This interview series celebrates each national day in the world through an interview.
Today June 20 is “World Refugee Day”. So the story of the day is brought to you from a refugee. M.A. has been in Japan since 2014 and working as an English instructor. Let’s take a closer look at his journey to Japan.
My country used to be calm
Back then, and before the war broke out, everything was better. My country was calm and stable. We had a wonderful life, simple, yet wonderful. My friends and I used to have a lot of fun. We used to play football in our neighborhood everyday. We never missed a chance to hang out. We were all students and we always had big dreams. To cut a long story short, we had LIFE!!
Escape from war
I left there at the beginning of 2014 heading for the capital of a neighboring country through an official border crossing, then I took the first plane to a big city in another country. After a short stay in the city I headed for Japan. A friend of mine sent me an invitation to come to Japan as a visitor.
A whole new world of opportunities would open up in Japan
I’ve always had great admiration for Japan. We tend to think very high of this country. Japan is rated the top at almost everything. Even though I had the choice of making the risky journey to Europe and claim asylum there, I insisted on going to Japan as I believed that when in Japan, a whole new world of opportunities would open up.
Since I came here, Japan has never disappointed me in any way. Japan certainly lives up to its reputation as the most advanced country on the planet.
I really like the beauty of the landscapes. I like how important rules are here. And what I like above all… are the people!
Japanese people stand as role models for the world in almost everything. They are hard-working, disciplined and intelligent. Japanese people are also welcoming, humanitarian and open-hearted. To be honest, Japan keeps astonishing me day after day. WHAT A NATION!!
Dreams for peace
I dream of the day when my country would be at peace again and when all people from my country would return to their homeland, rebuilding it and revitalizing it once again. I dream of being reunited with my lovely family which I miss more than anybody in the world. I dream of better days.
And last but not least, I dream of the day when I will be able to return the favor to Japan and to the good people of Japan.
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