I accidentally came across a documentary, The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru, which tells the incredible story of a Japanese ship torpedoed in 1942 while secretly carrying over 1,800 British prisoners of war. Through survivor stories, rare footage, and expert insights, it reveals their harrowing fight for survival and the emotional memorial held decades later by their descendants.

I wonder how many touching stories like this have been buried in the river of history. That’s why I love travelling to different parts of the world and listening to local people’s stories—those that may seem insignificant to others but leave a deep impression on me.

We are often drawn to grand historical narratives, forgetting that it is these seemingly ordinary stories that truly shape the world we live in.