Takano Isao - "A courageous witness"

Japanese journalist Takano Isao (1943-1979)

"We must stand on the side of justice!”

Takano Isao was born in 1943 in Kobe, Japan. Upon joining the Japanese Communist Party, Takano became a vibrant youth activist. In 1967, he was sent to Vietnam to study Vietnamese at Hanoi University, graduating in 1971. B7bis, a shared home for generations of international students studying Vietnamese, was also a part of the youth, passion, and motivation of many outstanding alumni, including Takano. The classes there left a lasting mark on Takano's life, filled with enthusiasm for the Vietnamese language and its people.

A memorial talk for journalist Takano Isao took place this morning, March 8, 2019, at the Department of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language.

In his 36 years of life, Takano dedicated 12 years to Vietnam. His footsteps traversed Vietnam, from the Southwestern border war to the Northern border war. His articles and images, still tinged with the heat of the battlefield, contributed to helping peace-loving people around the world understand the true nature of the 1979 Northern border war. Takano was also a Vietnamese-Japanese literary translator, having translated two novels and memoirs:Nguyen Van Bong's "White Shirt" and Nguyen Thi's "When Mother Is Away" have been translated into Japanese.

Japanese artist Tachibana Ryumei performs flute in memory of the late journalist Takano Isao.

In February 1978, in his role as a special correspondent and reporter for Akahata, the official newspaper of the Japanese Communist Party, Takano made every effort to arrive in Lang Son as quickly as possible when the border war broke out.

A barrage of enemy fire across the Ky Cung River on March 7, 1979, claimed the life of a courageous journalist. Amidst the hail of bullets, Takano rushed forward to take photographs and was hit, falling right before the eyes of his Vietnamese comrade, Nong Van Duong. Even in death, his hand still clutched his camera.

Later, Duong recounted: "I asked Takano why he went all the way to Vietnam, into a place under artillery fire, and he said:Coming to Vietnam was our responsibility. In this just and unjust war, we had to stand on the side of justice.. .What if they are killed in action?Takano replied: "Sacrifice is inevitable for the sake of the cause."This dialogue fully embodies the noblest ideals of a true journalist that Takana pursued. He even considered death, if necessary, as a means to serve that ideal."

The Vietnamese people were outraged and saddened by the sacrifice of journalist Takano. A memorial plaque for Takano Isao, the only Japanese person to remain on the northern border battlefield, was placed alongside the Hoàng Đồng Martyrs' Cemetery, where thousands of Vietnamese martyrs sacrificed their lives for their country.

The Head of the Department of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language introduced the life and career of the late journalist Takano Isao - a former student of Vietnamese language at the Department from 1967 to 1971.

Honor""A son of the land of majestic snow-capped Fuji"

The memorial talk for journalist Takano Isao was a warm and intimate gathering, attended by representatives of his friends and admirers; fellow Vietnamese and Japanese journalists who had met, worked with, and witnessed his sacrifice; and teachers who had taught him Vietnamese at B7Bis - now the Department of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

As Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thien Nam (Head of the Department of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language) shared: "We are proud to be the place where our alumnus, pioneering journalist Takano Isao, studied and lived, leaving behind a beautiful example of someone who sacrificed his life for the ideals of another nation."Truth and reality don't choose their own time."—Takano's final message before his death not only revealed a sincere heart and unwavering courage, but also resonated as an admirable lesson about the character and philosophy of life of a journalist and intellectual in modern times."

Journalist Goro Nakamura shared documents and commemorative photos about the late journalist Takano Isao.

Journalist Goro Nakamura, who accompanied Takano on that fateful assignment, carries an unceasing sense of guilt whenever he recalls the moment his colleague sacrificed his life. He brought to the event many photographs of the war, reflecting the brutality of the Chinese soldiers and the tenacious fighting spirit of the militia, self-defense forces, and people of Lang Son during that period. He brought emotionally charged stories and images about journalist Takano on the battlefield. Takano's final notes still demonstrate his unwavering understanding and reflection on the war:I saw that the Chinese army was still occupying the highlands, and while China said it was ready for dialogue, Chinese soldiers in Lang Son launched a full-scale attack on anyone or any vehicle they saw, regardless of whether they were civilians."

Professor and Rector Pham Quang Minh thanked journalist Goro Nakamura.

"I'll go first."These were Takano's last words to journalist Goro Nakamura before he collapsed.He was a good friend, a true gentleman, a talented man. He seemed to have died in my place."—journalist Goro Nakamura said, overwhelmed with emotion.

Professor and Rector Pham Quang Minh presents flowers to thank poet Anh Ngoc.

Journalist and poet Anh Ngoc recited his poem "To Emi Katano," which he wrote just two days after attending the funeral of journalist Takano Isao and witnessing the grief of his family. He said: "While many other journalists, including myself, couldn't get to Lang Son during the fierce fighting, Takano and his Japanese colleagues bravely ventured into the fray. That truly left a deep impression on me. Takano fell like a true soldier."

Composer Pho Duc Phuong shares about the creation of the song "Takano - A Courageous Witness".

Composer Pho Duc Phuong shared the motivation behind his creation of the famous song."Takano – A courageous witness"The sacrifice of journalist Takano left a deep impression on me. I saw in him a wonderful attitude towards life and dedication, the courageous spirit of a true journalist, and above all, the conscience and character of a man who always chose to stand for what is right.

The song has the line: “Let me sing about the son of the majestic snow-capped land of Fuji. He came to my homeland during days of war and smoke, his spirit as vibrant as blossoming cherry blossoms. Glory belongs to him, the soldier who sacrificed himself for the truth."The lyrics are short, but they are powerful enough to portray Takano, a journalist and witness to Vietnam's war of national liberation. The song also exudes patriotism, imbued with the ideals of fighting for justice and the dedication of journalists.

Composer The Hien performs the song.

The song "Takano - A Courageous Witness" was recorded and widely broadcast by the Voice of Vietnam radio station and performed by many famous Vietnamese singers both domestically and internationally. In 1979-1980, the song was performed by singer Ai Van in Japan and created a great sensation among the Japanese people.

Mr. Dinh Thanh Hue - the Vietnamese language teacher of the late journalist Takano Isao

Composer/singer Thế Hiển spoke about the special circumstances that connected his artistic life to this song: At the age of 24, while a music student, he learned about the sacrifice of journalist Takano Isao through the Saigon press at the time. He requested the song from the author Phó Đức Phương and performed it at his graduation ceremony with only a guitar accompaniment. This emotional performance not only helped him graduate with top honors but later became his signature song, accompanying him throughout the country to perform for the people for decades. "Vietnamese audiences love this song as much as they love Takano – the Japanese journalist considered a heroic martyr of Vietnam," he affirmed.

Mr. Sato Yoshio - Head of the scholarship awarding delegation from Takano's group of friends, students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, at the event.

The star apple tree that young Takano Isao planted in the B7Bis campus years ago is now proudly marked with a plaque that reads "Star apple tree planted by Takano Isao (1943-1979)". It serves as a meaningful reminder: the teachers and students of the Department of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, as well as the young generation of Vietnam today, will never forget him – journalist Takano Isao.A son of the land of majestic snow-capped Mount Fuji."It has become a part of the history and memory of the Vietnamese people."

Professor Pham Quang Minh, Rector, and his friends and admirers of the late journalist Takano Isao stand beside the sapodilla tree planted by the Japanese journalist during his time studying at B7Bis, now the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language, University of Social Sciences and Humanities.