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Life Onboard |
LAST UPDATE
June 11, 2008
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| May 18, 2008 |
The power of humanity – Chihiro Ito |
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| Passengers poured into lecture rooms to hear Mr Ito’s words of wisdom |
Chihiro Ito was the first Peace Boat guest educator to join the 62nd Voyage. Travelling with passengers from Yokohama to the first port of Viet Nam, he entertained and educated listeners with his unique experiences from all over the world.
During his 34-year career as foreign correspondent with The Asahi Shimbun he has shared dreams with revolutionaries in Nicaragua, spent time with the Roma in India, reported on the European Revolution and has been mesmerised by the sacrifices people have made to bring peace to this world.
His inspirational speeches and charisma gave a vibrant momentum to the start of the voyage. |
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| Many young passengers were captivated by the advice and experience Mr Ito shared in his lectures |
Below are answers to a few questions that give further insight into his life and aspirations.
Q: What made you want to become a Journalist?
A: When I was in high school I wanted to be the Prime Minister of Japan. But when I entered university I found that politicians were only interested in making money.
This was during the time of the Viet Nam War when journalists were really making a difference in the world. They were able to change the public’s support against the United States and finally end the war through their reporting of ground reality.
This made me realise that journalists are the true politicians and statements of a country, so if I wanted to change the world into a better place, I could do this by being a journalist.
Q: What is a defining moment in your life?
A: In 1984 I went to Nicaragua to report on the ongoing conflict. On the frontline of battle, standing amongst huge cannons, I met a 12-year-old boy holding a gun. When I asked him why he was there, he said he had volunteered to become a fighter. He told me he wanted to study, but as long as the war continued this would not be possible. So he wanted to end the war and fulfil his dreams of becoming a Professor of Marine Biology. I wished more than anything that this would become a reality. But I knew that if the war continued, the young boy would most likely die in battle.
I made a conscious decision at that point to dedicate my time and work towards the peace of the world. |
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| Mr Ito’s most recently published book about Article 9 |
Q: Who is an inspirational person in your life?
A: Ché Guevara. Ché had a dream which was to bring equality into society on all levels. He didn’t just want this for Cuba, he wanted it for the whole world and dedicated his life to make this happen. Even though he was born in Argentina, he became a guerilla fighter in Cuba, became a Cuban minister and then quit to continue fighting for the rights of humanity. Though he died in battle, he held his dream till his death and these are values I find truly inspirational.
Q: What is an issue that you are very passionate about?
A: I am passionate about bringing peace to the world. I have visited about 65 countries. In all these places, people only want peace. No one wants war. Yet wars continue to destroy our planet.
I have also met many people who have worked hard in all different ways, big and small, to make the world a better place. This has given me the belief that together we can make peace a reality.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I am writing a story about love. In Japan there were and still are many famous poets, musicians and writers who have their own love stories. This may be with their wives, their mothers or perhaps someone else. I am writing a book about these lives so I can share these stories with others. |
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