A Journey of Faith and Human Rights Advocacy in Japan and the UK
I came to the UK to study at Essex University in September 1999. Before I came to the UK, I did not know anything about the country except for the Beatles.
I met missionaries and became an investigator when I was a high school student in Japan. I then enrolled at university and was baptised. At university, I chose international human rights law as my specialisation. During my postgraduate studies, I took leave and went on a mission. I served a mission in the northern part of Japan. When I returned to my postgraduate studies, I thought I’d had enough of studying. But the words of President Hinckley resonated in my heart - he was encouraging men and women of all ages to pursue opportunities of higher education.
His words prompted me to continue higher education and I started a PhD course. I decided to study abroad; there was a human rights course at the University of Essex, which is world famous in the field.
It was a one-year course, but when I was given a blessing before I left, I was told; “Make the best use of this opportunity to study abroad, for one year, two years or more, to prepare for your future mission.”
When I finished my PhD in 2008, I could have gone back to Japan for good, but I felt that I still had things to do at Essex, so I stayed at the university as a part time staff. I don’t know why, but every day as I walked along to the university, I felt like someone was pushing me from behind. I felt that ‘I am on the right track’.
One Saturday in September, I opened Facebook. Among the many fun summer holiday photos of various friends, a post by a Japanese friend working for the United Nations was unique. He posted about various problems in the world and Japan.
There, I learned that the Japanese government was preparing something called the Special Secrets Protection Bill. In other words, inconvenient information can be hidden in the name of national security. The drafting process also lacked transparency, and I couldn’t believe it.
I couldn’t get that bill out of my head for days. Even if I tried to forget it, it was impossible. I thought I should do something about this bill. So, I prayed for help and guidance.
When I looked online, I saw that many people were demonstrating against it in Japan, but I had no connection with anyone. I thought that what I could do was to raise international awareness, so I decided to report it to the United Nations human rights institutions. I was familiar with the UN human rights procedure because that was a part of my academic research, but I had never expected to use it by myself for my country.
I translated the bill into English with that friend and sent it to the UN experts. I received an email from a UN human rights officer in Geneva, showing concern about the potential negative effect. A few days after the additional correspondence, the official UN letter was issued as a recommendation to the Japanese Government. Immediately, it was covered by major TV news and newspapers in Japan. The Japanese government was furious. But Japanese civil society groups and lawyers were amazed and delighted by the sudden support from outside. I was instantly connected with the Japanese people and started being invited to give talks to the general public in Japan. I spoke at a public talk event for the first time in my life and 400 people came to listen.
After this happened, it took me about two years to find my way forward. I wanted to work for an international organisation for at least a few years. But I always wanted to know what my ‘mission’ was that had been mentioned in priesthood blessings many times.
After repeated fasting, prayer, and temple attendance, I received a clear revelation in the temple in autumn 2015. I was told to focus on the work for human rights in Japan. I have no job description. I know this is spiritual work. That is why I need to go to the Temple regularly to receive guidance.
Japan’s human rights issues are not well known around the world, so I work to raise international awareness. Since Japanese people do not properly learn about human rights, I am also conducting educational activities.
For about four months from last November to March in Japan, I gave public talks and seminars at 30 places and gave 20 lectures at 15 universities. In total, I spoke to about 4,000 people directly. In addition, a major newspaper published an interview with me. Moreover, an opposition MP quoted me in his parliamentary questions to the Prime Minister.
I felt God’s guidance very much when I published a Japanese book on human rights for the general public. I often consulted about my human rights activities to my mentor at Essex University. A few years ago, he said to me, "Write a book on human rights in Japanese. Not an academic book, nor a textbook, but a book to help ordinary people understand international human rights." I knew this was something that had to be done. I had an offer from one of the biggest publishers in Japan. It was during the pandemic, and I stayed in my room and worked on my manuscript every day.
As I thought of Joseph Smith praying before he began translating the gold plates, I asked the Lord to guide me in writing the words He wanted me to share with people.
The book was published in December 2022. Human Rights is not a popular topic in Japan. I had no idea if there would be any reaction from the people. But to my surprise, the first 6000 copies were sold out within 2 months. The publisher was also surprised. It is one and half years since the release of the book, and now the number of printed copies exceeds 15,000.
As I gave talks in various places in Japan, I realised that my prayers while writing this book were being answered. Many people said they were empowered and dignified.
But 4 months of intensive work in Japan was really exhausting. After I came back to the UK, I did not have energy to do anything. Not only physically, but also emotionally, I was quite low. I was wondering what I could do to cheer myself up. I was reading over the records of past priesthood blessings. One of the blessings caught my eyes. It was a blessing I received in January 2006 when I was still a PhD student. It says as follows; “You will be blessed with many opportunities for publications. You put into writing the words the Lord wants people to hear, and they are conveyed to the hearts of those who read them.”
I was overwhelmed. In 2006, I was still struggling with my PhD and had no idea what I was told. But now I am seeing it is happening. How patient the Lord has been with me during all this time, watching me grow to prepare. This record was a reminder that I was being used as an instrument of God. Such recognition is a source of strength more than anything else. It is me who has been blessed through this mission.
From the time when I came to the UK with the intention of being here just for a year, or when I was hoping to work for an international organisation, the way I live and the work I am doing now, is quite unexpected. But I know clearly that the Lord has been guiding me ever since I was prompted to read the books of the mobile library as an investigator. I know all things shall work together for our good.