Entered school at age 90 to learn to read and write, his story became a film

Telling the story of how the difficulties brought by not knowing how to read and write and the lifelong shame changed a man's life, this story also sheds light on the educational deficiencies in Japanese society. Having faced various difficulties throughout his life due to illiteracy, the humiliations he experienced and not being fully valued by people left deep scars. This individual, who turned away from school due to a misunderstanding and peer bullying he experienced in his elementary school years and was forced to interrupt his education, spent his years without literacy. This deficiency created by the education system not only limited personal development but also led to social exclusion.

Years later, while working as a sushi master, the inadequacy he felt even in his relationships with his wife and children drove him to night school at the age of 64, after retirement. The helplessness he felt when he met his wife and when his children were born, and the pain of not being able to sign his own name, disturbed him even in his most special moments. Expressing his love and gratitude to his wife was only possible years later when he learned to read and write, and the letter he wrote received great interest. The realization that learning to read and write means not just putting letters together, but also regaining human dignity and being able to express feelings to a loved one is enchanting. The letters he wrote to his wife and the change he went through in this process went beyond a simple education story to turn into a universal human story.

One of the most emotional moments of the story is the "Love Letter on the 35th Anniversary" that he wrote to his wife Kiyoko after learning to read and write. Making a great effort using a dictionary to write, the man was able to express his feelings during their 35 years of marriage only in this way. Unfortunately, he had to put this last letter he wrote into the coffin because his wife passed away before he could give it to her, adding a tragic depth to the story. This process full of pain and love he experienced was featured in the national press, then on television and other media outlets, and was met with interest by large segments of society in a short time. This story has been etched in memories not only as an individual success but also as a very strong example of delayed passion and appreciation.

His life story was not only covered in the press but was also the subject of Rakigo, one of the traditional Japanese arts, and was published as a book. In addition, it inspired a box-office hit film starring famous names of Japanese cinema. The film's great success and the publicity of the story have turned Nishihata Tamotsu, currently 90 years old, into an activist talking about the importance of night schools. In the conferences he attends as much as his health allows, he shares his own life story to give hope to those struggling with literacy and tries to increase support for night schools. In his speeches, he inspires young people and those who want to make the most of their remaining life, emphasizing at every opportunity that education has no age.

However, despite this interest, the number of night schools in Japan is still insufficient, and student numbers in existing schools are not rising to expected levels. Experts emphasize that such schools are institutions that "should not exist" but are "indispensable if not noticed," stating that problems persist despite the system stepping in. This situation reveals that gaps in the education system are still not filled and brings the existence and invisibility of illiterate adults to light. Nishihata continues to do his best to advocate for the vital importance of these schools and to make their voices heard to those in need.