Photo/Illutration Machiko Taniguchi visits the grave of her husband, Masakatsu, in Toyono, Osaka Prefecture, on Sept. 17 to tell him that she has received a reply from Boeing Japan. (Provided by Machiko Taniguchi)

A woman feels her message about aviation safety is finally being taken seriously by the company largely blamed for a jumbo jet crash in 1985 that killed 520 people, including her husband.

Machiko Taniguchi, a 72-year-old widow in Minoo, Osaka Prefecture, recently received a letter of appreciation from the Japanese arm of Boeing Co.

It was a response to Taniguchi’s letter that described her wishes for safety that she had sent to the U.S. aircraft manufacturer on Aug. 12, the 35th anniversary of her husband’s death.

Taniguchi’s husband, Masakatsu, was 40 when he was killed in the crash of the Japan Airlines Co. aircraft. He left behind a note saying, “Machiko, please take care of our kids,” which he had written as the plane was spiraling out of control.

The note was discovered at the crash site along a ridge on Mount Osutakayama in Ueno, Gunma Prefecture.

His death left Taniguchi alone with her two sons, who were of junior high school and elementary school age at the time. The family members viewed a persimmon tree that Masakatsu had planted at their home as a sign of encouragement to move forward.

Taniguchi wrote a story about her family on the theme of a persimmon tree and had it published in an illustrated book titled, “My Papa’s Persimmon Tree,” in 2016. An English translated version was completed earlier this year.

Taniguchi sent the letter, which described the feelings she had held until that time, along with copies of the book to Boeing.

“Because of one small mistake, many lives were lost and the fates of many others changed,” she said in the letter.

She wanted to convey her desire for safety as a lesson from the disaster, rather than express resentment.

A report by the Japanese government’s accident probe panel said the aircraft’s pressure bulkhead, a component designed to maintain air pressure in the cabin, weakened and ruptured during the flight apparently because of Boeing’s faulty repairs, causing the plane to lose control and slam into the mountain.

Boeing Japan’s reply to Taniguchi arrived about a month later.

“The story of your loss of a beloved husband and father, and how you succeeded in moving forward in spite of the tremendous tragedy, left a deep impression on me personally, as I am also the father of two sons,” the president of Boeing Japan said in the reply.

He added that he would share Taniguchi’s message with Boeing leaders in the United States.

Taniguchi said she felt gratified and thought her feelings had been taken seriously.

She said she hopes to continue telling lessons of the crash to public transportation workers in the years to come.

The day after Taniguchi received the letter from Boeing Japan, she went to a graveyard not far from her home to tell the news to her deceased husband.

“Perhaps you lent me a helping hand,” she told Masakatsu. “Thanks as always.”

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