For my son who was killed by the gun society-Parents who continued to appeal for gun control December 27, 18:51

A son full of curiosity who went to America to study abroad in order to experience a different culture and broaden his horizons.

The sudden breakup came just two and a half months later.

For the past 30 years, his parents, who lost their son to a shooting incident, have been calling for tougher gun control in America.

How do you feel about the continuing damage caused by guns?

(International department reporter Mayu Oishi)

The death of a high school student who longed for America

In October 2022, a memorial service for Japanese people was held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.

Mr. Gojo Hattori from Nagoya City.

October 17, 1992, 30 years ago.

On his way to a Halloween party in costume, he visited the wrong house and was shot dead by a resident who thought he was a suspicious person.

He was 16 at the time.

Thoughts that reached "I want you to do something"

Longing for America, Mr. Gojo came to the United States saying, “I want to make this my second hometown.”

Only two and a half months later.

His father, Masakazu, and mother, Mieko, received unacceptable news.

Masakazu:

“It was around noon on Sunday. I received a call that my son had been shot dead.

What happened to my healthy son?

Soon after, I moved from my home in Nagoya to the United States.

The appearance of the changed son who met there.

It is said that Mieko, who had a deep sense of loss and could not sleep, could hear Gojo's thoughts.

Mieko:

"My husband was asleep, so it was a really strange time, but I heard my son say, 'I want you to do something.'"

I want guns out of American society so my son's death won't be in vain.

On the flight back to Japan, Mieko decided to write a petition to the president and collect signatures from those who would agree.

Mieko:

"I can only say it's a gut feeling, but I thought that if I appealed to the president, I might be able to change society even a little."

Activities with a host family

The two first asked for the cooperation of Mr. Holly Haymaker, who was Mr. Gojo's homestay.

Haymaker was Gojo's host mother.

His son was also present at the scene of the incident.

Even now, he says that he cannot forget the words that Mieko said to him while feeling guilty that he could not protect Mr. Gojo.

Haymaker

: When we met Seiichi and Mieko at the airport, instead of blaming us, Mieko first asked us, "Is your son okay?" I felt they were the most caring people I've ever met."

Haymaker was touched by the thoughtfulness of the two.

I decided to cooperate with the signature campaign.

The two families, one in Japan and the other in the United States, worked together to spread grassroots action in both countries, gathering a total of 1.82 million signatures.

And thanks to the work of Mr. Haymaker and gun control organizations, a meeting with President Clinton at the time was realized.

Masakazu and Mieko conveyed their sorrow over the loss of their precious child and the frustration of not having a place to go, and strongly appealed, "I want you to change the society where guns exist."

Shortly after that, in November 1993, with the support of their voices, a law was enacted regulating the purchase of handguns.

Seiichi:

“Without Haymaker, I would not have been able to meet the president. He is like family to me.”

Mieko:

"When I met the president, I felt that I could fulfill my responsibility to the 1.82 million people who signed the petition."

Gun damage that never goes away

After that, Masakazu and Mieko continued to participate in local demonstrations and rallies, and continued to appeal for further tightening of regulations.

But in America, gun violence continues.

The number of victims has been increasing for the past few years, and will exceed 20,000 in 2021.

Mieko:

"I've been working hard to get rid of guns, but the more I learned about the situation in America, where having guns has become the norm, the more I came to think it was a pipe dream."

Still, I want to stop people like my son falling victim to guns.

Masakazu:

“I would like people who advocate the right to own guns to be educated on how to use guns safely. I want"

“I want people to know a society without guns.”

A year after the incident, the two established the YOSHI Foundation named after Mr. Gojo to support American high school students studying in Japan.

This is because I want people to know about Japanese society where guns are not a part of everyday life.

More than 30 high school students have been supported so far.

There is an impressive phrase said by an international student.

"I was very surprised that Japanese people do not have the idea of ​​protecting themselves with guns."

Mieko:

“I was happy to feel that our thoughts were being conveyed. I am thinking"

Americans who touched their hearts

The thoughts of the two have reached people in the United States.

In the summer of 2022, 30 years after the incident, I received an email from a woman.

She was accompanied by a photo of Mieko giving a speech during a 2000 gun control demonstration.

The sender of the email is Donna Dees, who lives in Louisiana.

She was one of the organizers of the demonstration.

"I was touched by Mieko's strength as a mother in the midst of sadness, compassion and empathy."

Mr. Deeds looked back on Mieko's speech.

She said she felt honored to have joined the demonstration, and praised the duo for 30 years together.

Deeds, who lost a relative to gunfire, is now working at her local high school to change the perceptions of young people who perceive gun violence as normal through filmmaking.

Occasionally, I touch on Masakazu and Mieko, who have risen up from the incident and grief of Mr. Gojo, and tell the students about the dangers of guns.

The students produced a documentary.

The title is "In Loving Memory"

Based on the testimonies of people who have lost family members and friends to guns, it tells the problem of owning a gun.

"I made it because I thought more people should work to solve this problem."

Hopes of parents

Guns are the leading cause of death for people under the age of 19 in the United States.

Masakazu and Mieko are hopeful that the younger generation will change society.

Now, there are calls for stricter gun control, especially among the younger generation, and in June 2022, demonstrations were held in hundreds of places across the United States, in which many young people participated.

Mieko

"I don't think it was 30 years ago that young people started to take action. Considering gun control, we still have a long way to go, but everything takes time to change, so we entrust our activities to young people. I think that I want to do it"

I have met and worked with many people in Japan and the United States, including those who advocate gun control and those who have recovered from the grief of losing their child.

Masakazu:

“For 30 years, I have been able to come this far thanks to everyone’s help. Every time I did something, I received advice on how I should do it, and on the contrary, I was moved in some ways.”

At the church near the house where Mr. Gojo studied abroad, a monument has been set up to tell the story of the incident.

30 years after the incident.

Masaichi and Mieko sent these words at a memorial service held at a church in Louisiana.

"Thanks to the people of Louisiana, my son's dream of making America his second home came true. The world has many challenges to solve, but let's fight together with hope, courage and joy."

International department reporter

Mayu Oishi

Joined in 2017 Toyama station After

working at the Nagoya station, met Mr. and Mrs. Hattori while working at the current Nagoya station, and continued reporting