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“Luck Out In Meeting Supportive People”

Today’s story-teller is Masahiro Okafuji, president of Itochu Corporation. It is about his best friend.

When he was in his third year of high school, Y, his friend, showed him a newspaper clip and told him a story about it.

“It says that there are a lot of people who have suffered from serious illnesses, or lost their parents at a younger age among successful people.”

At that time, before his college entrance exam, he was suffering from tuberculosis, and his father, who was in his 50s, died suddenly.

It was the first big test for him. Okafuji says that Y gave moral support to him, and he felt like he was his guru.

Y was a genius. He was the best grade and a guy who could handle anything.

Getting a support from a guy like him, he decided to overcome those challenges.

Years later, he was invited to Y’s wedding during college. He was surprised by the change in him.

He recovered from a serious illness, however, he became half-paralyzed and he was walking with crutches.

Despite being handicapped, he graduated from a medical school and became a director of a hospital.

He had the power of mind over matter, but his wife’s support must have meant a lot to him.

Okafuji says, “Y helped me get to where I am now. I believe that people can become frail but one can get through difficulties by receiving support from the others.”

The NIKKEI 1/28/2009 by Masahiro Okafuji (president of Itochu Corporation)

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