E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSToshihito Aisawa's father, mother and grandmother are all missing. For days the 9-year-old has been desperately searching for them at evacuation centers in the Japanese city of Ishinomaki, holding up hand written signs pleading for information. On one is written their names, on the other the simple message "I will come again tomorrow."
Kuniaki Nishio / Asahi Shimbun via EPA
Nine-year-old Toshihito Aisawa pictured at an evacuation centre in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan on March 15. He is holding two handwritten signs as he continues his search for his father, mother and grandmother lost in the quake and tsunami of March 11. On one is written their names, on the other "I will come again tomorrow".
Toshihito's father picked him up from school shortly after the earthquake struck last Friday, and the family were driving towards higher ground when the tsunami struck.
Toshihito and his teenage cousin Yuto managed to crawl out of the car's broken window, but they became separated and the younger boy then lost consciousness. When he came to, a man fished him out of the water.
Kuniaki Nishio, a journalist with Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, met Toshihito on Tuesday as he searched for his missing relatives. The boy remained determined that he would find his family. "When the roads clear up, I'm going to check our home," he said.
A family friend, 64-year-old barber Mitsunari Kitahara, who is looking after the boy, said Toshihito had not shown any emotion since losing his family. "I'm sure that it has been tough on him," Mr Kitahara said.
Asahi Shimbun reported that Kitahara repeatedly told the Toshihito to "stop worrying so much" and to "come back home as soon as you can."
"Yes, I'll do as you say. I won't worry about it," Toshihito replied, although the paper said "his face betrayed his show of bravery."
Kuniaki Nishio / Asahi Shimbun via EPA
Nine-year-old Toshihito Aisawa pictured at an evacuation centre in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan on March 15, searching for his missing father, mother and grandmother.
However, as flagged by Newsvine user acidrain, The Australian newspaper, citing Asahi Shimbun, reported some good news Friday: Toshihito has been reunited with his cousin. Another cousin, Yuna, who was also in the car, is still missing.
Read the original story, written before Toshihito found his cousin, at Asahi Shimbun.
Follow the latest developments in Japan and see more images in our slideshow.
Find out how you can help victims of the Japanese quake.
Leave a Comment:
To David Arnott: I can only imagine that the same type of thing is going on all over Japan. Like the grandmother who had survived the Nagasaki bombing, it does make the unreal situation seem more real. Without these kind of stories, it all just looks like a horror movie.
thank you for putting a face on this tragedy.
To the majority of the people leaving comments on this board: You left the story and focused on yourself and your beliefs. The story is about a boy whose family is missing. God or no God everyone should believe in Family. It's pretty much the only thing in this world that you cannot put a price on and that everyone globally shares....we all have families...love them or hate them. Instead of debating the fact of God or no God and trying to prove you are right and the other is wrong, take that energy and contact your family today and share an encouraging word or share a hug and a moment of togetherness. This is all this boy wants and he can't have it.
Thank you, Ella.
this was literally what i was going to say. thank you
My heart breaks for this little boy.
I agree with everying Dachs has said. Some people I've seen on here are so miserable that they need to keep their uselessness to themselves. If you are an atheist, keep it to yourself. Do not bash people for your beliefs. Karma will hit you so hard in the face that it will make your head spin.
Do you realize that most of you are handling this situation WORSE than the Japanese? They have been strong and steadfast, an example to be taken by all. All we should be thinking about now is how to help them and hope that everyone can pick up themselves and keep going on. Stop posting garbage and FIND YOURSELF. Let other people live their lives without being exposed to YOUR TRASHY MOUTHS.
Thank you.
Why do you want to silence atheists? Aren't they entitled to their opinion?
As a parent my heart goes out to this little boy. I hope and yes pray that he will find his family. This should not be a fight between who believes or does not believe in God. this should be about this little child and the many other people that have lost everything. So many times the conversations go off on topics that have nothing to do with the article. Set all politics aside and just think about this little boy and the heavy heart he must have.
The creation itself cries out to us and tells us there is a God so all mankind is without an excuse to not believe in God. There is a time to live and there is a time to die, there is a time to laugh and there is a time to mourn. This is a time to mourn for those people that are suffering so much. God did not make it happen but I'm sure He spoke to each one of them before it happened and gave them a chance to believe in Him or not, just like He is doing to everyone of us right now.
How much more can a heart break?
This is a very sad and divesting event that has happened to our neighbors’ in Japan. GOD has commanded us to love one another just like HE loved us. When bad things happen we always ask why GOD, why did you let this happen? GOD puts us through trials and tribulations and as GOD's people we need to continue to believe in HIM even when we don’t understand. Yes, we may not understand why things happen but we need to examine our own ways before we can judge others, and even then it's not our place to judge. Look what we have done to this earth that GOD has created. GOD commanded Noah to build an ark because he was a good man and obeyed GOD, unlike us, and GOD told Noah he was going to bring him to a new world. This world should have been taken care of by GOD's people, but we got, no I got wrapped up in worldly things. GOD is not to blame for this tardily. I believe mankind is to be. GOD is giving us signs that someday he will be coming for his people, all I have to say is I’m ready, are YOU? Let's use what GOD has given us and love one another. Let’s stand united in GOD’s love, because sosmeday I want to live in heaven with GOD, and my brothers and sisters. My pray is for that 9 year old boy that he find the rest of his family and GOD be with him through this.
Hey tbrown-3177959 after that posting I guess we can count you in with the likes of Gilbert Gottfried for person most likely to make the most insensitive and stupid remark possible. Unfortunately it won't cost you like it did the other son of a b#tch that thought what had taken place in Japan was just more material for his already bad and obnoxious stand up routine. So on that note to quote the late Great Frank Zappa. "You're an A$$hole, you're an a$$hole!"
This kid should be running Japan someday. He's SMART, dilligent, and calm. Very, very calm. Heck, why not bring him over here when he gets older?
Why has it taken Obama one week to get involved or to address the American people? I said a week ago he doesn't look concerned. He proved my point. I don't like the way he seemingly views this. This had all the makings of a catastrophe very early on.
Just today he is sending people to access the situation. I don't want this guy in charge if something hits the fan here. Get this crackpot out of the White House before OUR lives are on the line!
Because Obama and his cronnies are heartless pieces of @!$%#. A bunch of damn socialist who only think of themselves. They don't care for anyone else.
If you were watching something other than FoxNews you'd know that Obama addressed the nation on the DAY it happened, and we've had search and rescue teams over there as well as the SS Ronald Reagan and 7 other US Navy ships for days. READ real news before you post, moron.
You're a liar. Both of you are scum for politicizing this and making it about Obama and your petty arguments. Go re-evaluate your values, because they suck. Also your knowledge of current events.
From 3/11, day of the quake.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/japan-earthquake-tsunami-obama-offers-condolences-japanese/story?id=13113812
Socialists who only think of themselves... that is solid gold.
acidrain and myObama: When a nuclear reactor has the potential to meltdown, it is the President's duty to inform American's of potential hazards that result. He has not. We (especially CA) are not prepared.
Gestures (USS RR and condolences and the "how fragile life is comment") are fine for situations that do not directly affect the U.S. But these are U.S. made reactors and we should have been directly involved from the start. No matter what you think Obama's response was delayed and lacked information (transparency) The meltdown of reactors and inevitable exposure of serious radiation upon our shores should be known by all Americans.
But you keep supporting Obama's backseat approach to the meltdown of 3-4 nuclear reactors just across the ocean. Tell HI and CA, no worries the President is on top of it. Realize that the external radiation hazard isn't the real problem, it's inhalation and ingestion of essentially nanoscopic quantites of radionuclides. There is no way you can guarantee human safety when you have something emitting 10's of kilogram quantities per hour of of soluble and insoluble forms of alpha, beta, and gamma emitters. this is going into the atmosphere and will be here via the wind currents. Why won't Obama state this? I think it's because he's clueless.
pullitsurprise, "Realize that the external radiation hazard isn't the real problem, it's inhalation and ingestion of essentially nanoscopic quantites of radionuclides." From your post it looks like you have already inhaled and ingested quite a few. Where can I get some ? Either soluble or insoluble will do for me.
enema::: If I spoke over your understanding of nuclear reactor problems that's good. You sound like you have a little more growing to do in this area. Educate yourself and don't be afraid of learning new things. It will benefit us all.
Wishes I can grab you and keep you!! My deepest sympathy to all of Japan. Such a sweet boy!!
Unfortunately this poor little boy is not alone.....there are so many others in the same situation that he is in. My heart just breaks for the people of Japan. May they find each other amid the destruction of what used to be their homes and homeland. I only pray that if such devestation hits us that we as Americans have the strength and dignity that Japan has shown dealing with their tragedy.
Chris-1664618 is nothing but a blog troll. He lives to do nothing but try to demean & hurt people thru his comments hiding behind a computer screen. People like this are the bottom feeders of the internet and do not even deserve the air they breath imo. Everyone has a right to an opinion, even this looser. But this complete waste of oxygen gets off on harrassing people for no better reason then trying to create turmoil on a blog, nothing more. I think he/she/it should be taken over to Japan and dropped off right outside the front gate of Fukushima. The world would be a much better place without idiots like this!
No need to reply as I could care less what you think. My world does not revolve around blog trolls, nor will it be effected in any way shape or form thank GOD!
I pray this little boy finds his family and my heart goes out to him.
God bless!
He is a very brave little boy. My heart goes out to him and to everyone who may be searching for someone or who has lost someone.....May God bless and keep them all!
All I want to do is pick this young boy up and give him a hug and tell him how much he is loved. He reminds me of my 8 year old. If there was any I could come and pick you up and bring you into our home I would in a heart beat. Good luck, GOD will be with you!
To all the comment about, your time would be better spent finding a way to assist then judging from a distance. To all the human beings whom think that your in a position to judge is ignorant. To all the human being that need to address someone intellect in tragic situation, i feel your evaluation is quite mislead. In tragedy the only thing you can do is have empathy and help other wise you add to the issue. Where is your humanity? I love this boy courage, not loosing hope and discipline. If you do not have that or honor, no wonder you do not understand. I would adopt him when he was ready. If his parent return give him back. Most of these comment make me sad in how you see other life toughted by something you cannot understand. THe child is brave for not giving up hope. The bravery saves millions
God Bless this little Angel!! I am joining the many others in prayer that this brave child will find his family. God Speed!!
My prayers are with you sweet, brave boy.... They are with you and your amazingly resilent and proud people. God Bless.
the only mistake god made was to let man have the ability to think in most the ability for man to think if he doesn't use common sense he will be in a lot of trouble so peoplle use common sense in all you do and pray the little boy finds his family may the lord bless and strenthen him in his endevers
To all those who want to say that we should be thinking of this kid- I dontated 18 hrs this week to helping gather supplies for Japan, I donated $1500 to my church who is getting these things out, and I have been at functions all week getting people to do the same. So- who is thinking of these people AND acting? I believe I have every right to defend my fellow believers in ANY way that I can. If that makes me bad, then I hate to see what evil really is.
Matthew 6:1-34
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ...
Put yourself in his situation for a moment and imagine that you never find your parents and the last vision of your parents was fighting for their lives. I am not a psychologist but I would imagine that it will be rather difficult for the child to find some closure. I pray that this child finds his parents. I have a 9 year old boy, my only child, I don't even want to think about him ever being in this position.
There's always someone trying to be a smarta&% and poke fun about tragedies - when will the Gilbert Godfrieds, etc. get it - there's just nothing funny in a tragedy. Tragedies are never comedy material - there are no jokes to be made - no humor to be found. For those who insist on it - enjoy your little world. Its serious and its heartbreaking - period.
Religion aside, and I'm not a religious man but I am very compassionate and it it very painful to see this your man, and I say man because he is protraying and very grown up side now. He is doing what most of us fear to do. He is keeping hope alive within himself. What he is doing is so respectable, many people would have given up hope alread. All I can do is applaude his actions and I truly wish I could reach out and give him a comforting hug and wish him all the luck he deserves.
On the realistic side of all this, nature has struck and did it's toll upon this poor country, devastaing famlies and business. A co-worker had no sympathy for these people because he holds theirs actions for the bombing of Hawaii against them still. We as a world need to put our hatred aside, what happens in the past should stay there, we should do all we can to help, not only this young man, but the whole country of Japan.
For all of you who have nasty ugly comments to make, you should be ashamed and I hate to say it, but I hope the next tragedy that happens, happens in your own backyard. Then you'll have to cry out for assistance. You may get it, but you better be appreciative of every little bit of help you get. Who knows, it might be a Japanese boy who extends the hand who saves you or your loved ones life.
Amen to that GregJ -
Thank you Kate.
What is it about this simple, poignant and heart breaking article about a 9 year old CHILD searching for his missing family under such horrific circumstances that can make people turn it into something it's not....it has nothing to do with your religious beliefs or the IQ of this boy or why or who caused this to happen. I don't know what's more tragic, the ordeal this boy and the entire country of Japan is dealing with or the minds of some of the posters in this thread......get a grip