Attending the memorial ceremony were representatives of the Fukushima – Vietnam Friendship Association, family and relatives, friends of Mr. Takano from Japan, representatives of the Department of Cooperation and Development, Politics and Student Affairs, the Board of Directors and the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language; experts and researchers from the Institute of Literature.
Journalist Takano Isao (1943 - 1979) and the book about him
Takano IsaoTakano Isao was born in 1943 in Kobe, Japan. In 1967, he went to Vietnam and enrolled in the Vietnamese Language Department of Hanoi University (now the Department of Vietnamese Studies and Language, University of Social Sciences and Humanities). Takano Isao attended university at a time when the war in Vietnam was becoming increasingly fierce, but he overcame all difficulties to learn Vietnamese, learn about Vietnamese culture and immerse himself in the resistance life of the Vietnamese people.
After graduating, Takano returned to Japan to work. In February 1979, the Chinese government launched a campaign to simultaneously attack Vietnam's border provinces. Takano immediately returned to Vietnam to rush into the fiercest spots to report on the war.
And on March 7, 1979, journalist Takano died while working in Lang Son town after a series of bullets from Chinese troops attacked two vehicles carrying reporters. His funeral was solemnly held by the Japanese Communist Party in Tokyo on March 20. His memorial stele is now located at Hoang Dong cemetery in Lang Son city, with the inscription: "Comrade Isao Takano - reporter for Akahata newspaper (Japan) died in Lang Son town on March 7, 1979".
Takano left behind a rich journalism career, including many reports, news, and images about the war to protect the northern border of the Vietnamese army and people. Those images had a great influence, truly describing the brave and heroic spirit of the Vietnamese people, determined to protect every inch of their homeland. In addition, with his rich and profound Vietnamese language skills, he was also a translator of many literary works (from Vietnamese to Japanese), contributing to promoting and spreading Vietnamese cultural values to Japanese and international friends. After his death, Takano Isao was posthumously awarded the Friendship Medal by President of Vietnam Ton Duc Thang. On March 5, 2019, on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Vietnam - Japan diplomatic relations (1978-2018), a talk show with the theme "Journalist Takano Isao - Brave Witness" was held, introducing his life and relics.
Instead of opening remarks, Dr. Le Thi Thanh Tam (Head of the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies and Language) read a poem expressing deep emotion about the brave journalist and war correspondent, an excellent former student of the Faculty and the University.
On the occasion of the Memorial Day of Alumni, Journalist Takano Isao sacrificed, the representative of the Fukushima - Vietnam Friendship Association, the family and the group of authors respectfully presented the book "
Japanese journalist Takano Isao - "A courageous witness"for University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language, Institute of Literature.
Associate Professor, Dr. Doan Le Giang, on behalf of the group of authors, introduced the book and the camera - a souvenir of Journalist and Reporter Takano Isao.
The book"Japanese Journalist Takano Isao - A Courageous Witness"collects and introduces very valuable documents about Journalist Takano: the camera, the backpack that followed him throughout the days of fighting on the battlefield, the pictures he took, the memoirs of his friends who fought with him. Through those documents, readers can imagine Journalist Takano Isao - a Japanese friend, who lived and fought bravely with the Vietnamese soldiers and people during the fiercest days of the battle to protect the northern border in 1979.
The participants of the Memorial Ceremony were moved when watching the precious documentary film about the life and fighting days, the moment of sacrifice of Uncle Takano Isao in Lang Son in February 1979, sent by his wife. In that documentary film, there was the grief and pain of the widow, the tears of the little daughter, the person when her husband, father sacrificed, but above all, the pride that their relatives lived, fought with their Vietnamese friends, sacrificed for justice, for peace.
In a warm and emotional atmosphere, everyone attending the Memorial Service listened to the melodious flute performed by artist Tachibana Ryomei - a friend of Journalist Takano Isao from Japan.
Journalist Ngo Minh Dao, a witness present at the Lang Son battlefield in February 1979, shared many touching stories about the moment of sacrifice of Journalist Takano Isao.
Takano Isao - the sun in a strange land, with a passionate love for the Vietnamese language and the country of Vietnam, fought and sacrificed his youth for the 1979 border protection war of the Vietnamese people. His example of sacrifice has been the inspiration for many works of art, including the music: "Takano – The Brave Witness" belong toMusician Pho Duc Phuongwith very touching lyrics:
“Please sing about the son of the majestic snow-white land of Fuji.
You came to my hometown during the days of fire and smoke, your soul was as fresh as cherry blossoms in bloom.
Glory to you, the soldier who sacrificed for the truth.
.....
Oh! Isao Takano! To your hometown, my love is deep in my heart!
The truth will prevail, your love will always be passionate, how beautiful is Takano's youth!
The Board of Directors of the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language presented flowers to thank the Fukushima - Vietnam Friendship Association and artist Tachibana Ryomei.
