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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.
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I don't understand - the story is about a boy who may be an orphan, who is doggedly searching for his family and so many of the commentators here are tossing personal barbs - what is up with that? God / No God - the story is about a young man showing a strength of spirit that I wonder how many of you folks would have in the face of that kind of catastrophy - This free woman with head uncovered and unbowed will send up prayers that the strong and brave young man finds his family.
Please view #76.
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. ...
Everytime there is an article on here about a tragedy, you have idiots who want to turn it into politics, blame religion, etc. or make snide remarks about the victims. Maybe some tragedy needs to happend to them for them to empathy for others.
Again, please read #76.
Wowed,
We certainly appreciate all you have done, your actions in collecting donations for Japan. I read your #76 post. Are you being offended by some of our posts. We certainly are not referring to you. I'm lost on what you keep talking about.
I am referring to the people who are saying "do something worthwhile instead of bringing God into this". I cannot let someone attack a fellow believer, who, most likely, will help these people more. It erks me to no end to have people called names due to the fact that they believe in something bigger, and that is why I posted that. People want me to stop talking about God, and act, and I have and continue to do both. I have ever more disdain for people who say things like
So, I get fired up.
AHHH, I gotcha. "Thumbs Up" then.
LOL. Thanks, but, don't need it, just put the word out to donate to churches everywhere. They will make sure it goes to where it is needed.
Here is a young boy who has lost just about everything and is strong enough and persistent enough to do all he can to locate his family. The photo of him holding up his signs to strangers at some evacuation center is heartbreaking. I've read many of the comments attached to this story, though, and many readers have unfortunately turned this into some sort of theological debate to advance their own causes. I'm sorry, but the focus should be on Toshihito and his loss and his character and his strength during these sad times. He's a lonely, frightened little boy whose plight should not be manipulated by others to advance their own God or No God agenda. My heart goes out to this brave, young boy. He has allowed me to feel deeply and personally what must be terrible losses for the people of Japan. To Toshihito: I wish you well, young man. May you find your lost dreams.
I wonder how many other children are out there who are alone ?My prayers are with all these dear children .I hope and pray that this little boy and others find there parents and there family's.I'm glad he now has found some of his family now.It's a shame that the children end up suffering more then anyone.
Poor little boy=( This is so sad. I cried when I read this and couldnt even finish the article. My heart and thoughts goes out to japan.
Thank you for posting this!
will god plz hve mercy n compassion n hear the pleadings n cries of the desperate n lost, cold n hungry, weary n thirsty, n in the hour of darknest night put forth a light to guide n lead, n hold them n embrass them all with your overflowing love... n compassion please. In the Name of Mercy n Compassion Avakisteshara Kuan Yin. Plz allow your mercy n compassion to liveth in the little boys heart n let him praise your mercyful n compassionate name too. Hear his pleading cries, in the hour or dire desperation n fear n loneliness, our dear merciful n compassionate Kuan Yin. Let us claim n honour u name which is the Hearing Sounds of the World. Namo Amithabha
2 hands working accomplish more than 1000 hands praying. I hope all of you people offering your prayers on here offer something a little more substantial, like time or money. It will go a lot further than prayers.
Put yourself in his shoes, how sad. As humans we are tough and resiliant. Japan is the third largest economic power in the world and recently a Japanese had arrogantly said we don't need God. Well God has once again reminded us who really is in charge. This is a good reminder for us to look into the mirror and see what we really are and what we really should be doing before we also meet the Maker. As humans we die every day in the thousands and thousands but that death goes unnoticed. so every once awahile this happens to give us a jolt.
A word of advice to the mature adults posting. STOP feeding the trolls who's only purpose is to scower the net for articles like this & post immature & horrible replies. Just ignore them & they will GO AWAY!
I don't think they will. I think the key though, is to not respond with anger, if you are going to respond.
Quest for God and His ways. Depends on what is in your heart. Many excuses and deteminations in your mind block His reality. This boy has a determination to find truth about his family in the caous of what has happened and I lift him up by the faith I had that led me to find the reality of God I have now. At one time in my life an angel stood on deck of the fishing boat I was skipper of. During a winter storm far out at sea the angel spoke and warned us of a imminent danger and we were saved from surely being lost. I believe God answers what we desire of Him for Himself and not for what we want from Him for ourselves. Its based on free will on our part and a love relationship
By the way the Bible is true. It does not say the earth is 8000 years old. It explains that the Earth was created in 6 stages and we exist in the 7th one now. The word "day" is a translation or the ancient Hebrew word "Yom" which can referr to any period of time. From 1 nano second too a billion years.
Bless this child.
Have they computerized the survivor list? Take pictures of the lists at the survivor centers, send to people in the city to scan and publish lists of each center on line.
if everyone of us, who reads about the dear 9 yr old boy, n shall spent just on min to say a little prayer for him, perhaps god will not harden his heart futher. N god's forgiving heart wld just grant a miracle for our sincere prayers
Acidrain, I have sent money and would gladly spend time searching in Japan if I was in a position to do so. What have you done? I'm wishing, hoping, praying, keeping my fingers, toes and eyes crossed and anything else that I can cross without pain for this brave, stoic little boy to find his family. No need to belittle me or anyone else for what we believe.
Thank you, lawful! It is nice to hear about someone else doing somthing.
I have sent money. I'm glad you have too. I just hope the people out there praying do more than just pray. Why do you take offense to that? I never said anyone SHOULDN'T pray. I just said that they should do something that will definitively give RESULTS. You have done that, so you were not in my target audience.
Typical christian victim response though, to accuse me of belittling you or your faith, when I did no such thing.
well if toshihito cann't find his family, I can give him a house and family in my home town and my house. I have a son his age and we will love him and help him when everything will be settle. I love that boy. He is so strong. God bless him and help him find his daddy and mommy.
Why do these post(s) always drift away from the story and end up being name calling and about the person writting a post? I thought this was about a nine year old boy looking for his family!
We need to take a hard look at ourselves and the way we are on these blogs. Are we the same way off the computer? I look at the Japanese and the way they are conducting themselves. Then I think of the way some people in the USofA conduct themselves in time of crisis.
Bless this young man and everyone in Japan who is going through an absolutely horrible time.
What a fine, brave little boy.
I will come again tomorrow and search another day,
I will never give up hope; I think to myself and pray…
Has anyone seen my family? They seem to be out of sight,
We need to be together, somehow we need to reunite…
I will come again tomorrow; I will never give up my search,
I pray to God and wonder, sitting high above this perch…
Has anyone seen my family? I have been looking every place,
I can’t tell you how much I miss them, the tears run down my face…
I will come again tomorrow, to search for them again,
I wonder why this happened, the day it all began…
Has anyone seen my family? I’m desperate and lost,
I wish someone will find them, no matter what the cost…
I will come again tomorrow, to look another day,
I really need to find them but I have seemed to have lost my way…
Has anyone seen my family? I am really only nine,
They are all I have left in this world; their names are on this sign…
I will come again tomorrow; my search will never end,
Somehow I really must find them; I’m lonely and need a friend…
Has anyone seen my family? They were swept away by this dark huge wave,
I really need to find them; I‘ll be stubborn, bold and brave…
That is really, really good, and really, really sad.
for those who do not believe in god, please respect other who does, N b/4 u judge, what hve u personally offer to help.. at the time u criticise. It is only a prayer of the heart..n why judge god n those who belived, everyone is free to offer help in little ways that we can within our means. N I believed those volunteers who offer assistance professionally or material wise perhaps also offer prayers too. Maturity surely is not a hardened heart which only preach critism n r quick to judge at times like these.
Good luck young amn, good luck. Prayers are with you.
sorry...man.
It doesn't matter why it happened, or who let it happen, or if it was just truly a natural disaster. The real point to the story is that a small child is left alone, sad and lonely and determined to find the family he has lost. No matter what the readers' beliefs are, we need to respect the fact that something keeps this boy looking each day. He has NOT given up. I call that faith, faith in something or someone. I pray he does find his family, but if he does not, he will have learned many life lessons that will help him in his future, among them: NEVER GIVE UP!! I will pray for him every day, as I do for the multitudes there in Japan who are going through so much. We all need something to believe in during times like these. I believe in the one true God. For those of you who don't and would scoff and argue, remember this, God still believes in you.
Toshihito Aisawa is a brave young man. If I was in his shoes, I would be searching everyday as well. God bless him and I wish him the best of luck.
This is truly heartbreaking, and anyone who does not feel an ounce of pain for this boy is not human. I hope his persistence pays off and that his family is found safe and sound so they may soon be reunited.
This boy breaks my heart. I wish I could go over there and help him look.