Studying In Japan

In Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, just as in cities across the country, old school friends are coming together for Coming-of-Age ceremonies, where they meet, talk and reminisce. However, at this celebration on Sunday, the absence of one old friend has added notes of sadness and introspection to the usually happy festivities.

The missing face is that of Kazunori Fujino, who was killed by Tomohiro Kato, 26, during his June, 2008 rampage in the Akihabara district of Tokyo. Only 19 years old at the time, Fujino was hit and killed when Kato plowed through a pedestrian mall in his truck.

"I had hoped to celebrate with him," says one woman at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony who had been Fujino's classmate from nursery school to the end of elementary school. As she spots familiar faces, she cannot help but smile. "I'm lucky to have this ceremony and live a normal life," she adds, reflecting on Fujino's conspicuous absence.

With only 30 children in each grade at Fujino's elementary school, the kids were like family to one another. "Okazu" (his nickname) was known for being the class's live wire. He would demonstrate the karate techniques he was learning to his friends, and always made them laugh with his impersonations.

At the time of the Akihabara killings, Fujino's nursery school buddy hadn't seen him for many years. However, on the day after the attack, when she heard that Fujino was one of Kato's victims, her memories of him came flooding back to her as fresh as ever, and she broke down in tears. The following day, the young woman went with seven of her classmates to the scene of Fujino's death.

At the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, no one mentions Fujino. Though everyone is certain to be thinking of him, perhaps no-one wants to be the first to break the silence. In the winter of sixth grade, Fujino and his classmates all promised to get together again when they became adults and have a drink. All of Fujino's classmates are now about to turn 20, and the long-planned drinking party has been set for this coming March. Fujino's nursery school friend says she will reminisce about him with her classmates then.

Fujino was not alone when he died. Walking with him and sharing his fate was a 19-year-old university student from Nagareyama, Chiba Prefecture. His father has come to the Coming-of-Age Ceremony being held at the Nagareyama Cultural Center to take part in the festivities his son cannot.

As he is about to depart, one of his son's good friends from junior high school approaches him to offer his condolences, leaving him deeply moved.

"If my son was alive and well, they'd probably be chatting about the past together," he said sadly. "It really is tragic."

Takashi Arai, 20, another one of the murdered boy's junior high school classmates, also had his absent old friend on his mind. "I remember he was a member of the handball club, and how he was such an energetic player," he says. "I couldn't attend the funeral, but I did pray for his soul. It's so sad, so regrettable."