Graduating students at Kagoshima Minami Senior High School join in with alumnus Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi who made a surprise appearance Feb. 28 at the graduation ceremony. (Video footage by Hayato Kaji)

Photo/Illutration Students of Kagoshima Minami Senior High School sing along with Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi at their graduation ceremony on Feb. 28. (Hayato Kaji)

KAGOSHIMA—Yukinori Ishidao, the principal of Kagoshima Minami Senior High School, wanted a special way to send off graduates who had spent their three years there under the cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his speech to the graduating class on Feb. 28, Ishidao said: “Although all of you were told to make do without many things, all of you continued with your various challenges without quitting. You only have one life. I hope you continue making efforts toward your dreams and goals.”

The somber mood at the ceremony indicated the principal’s speech was not the special sendoff.

That happened after Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi, an alumnus of the school who has gone on to stardom as a singer, appeared on stage.

The now-excited students listened as Nagabuchi told them: “Today, I want you to raise your voices and sway your bodies to your heart’s content. Let’s make the best memories.”

Cheers and applause erupted from the audience.

Ishidao had written a letter to the musician, inviting him to provide something special at the graduation ceremony that students would remember.

The graduates entered senior high school in 2020 when the health scare was just beginning.

As a result, classes and extracurricular activities were curtailed, and cultural and sports festivals had to be scaled back to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus infections.

In addition to wearing face masks, students were told to eat their school lunches without talking to their friends.

Nagabuchi told the principal he would gladly appear at the graduation ceremony.

Around 300 graduates attended without face masks except when they sang the school song.

Nagabuchi sang eight songs, including “Stay Dream,” which touches on the importance of pursuing one’s dream.

The graduates sang along with their arms around the shoulders of those next to them.

Nagabuchi reflected on his own youth growing up in Kagoshima in a poor family.

“Even when humans are pushed to the brink of despair, there is always a switch for hope somewhere,” he said.

Yoshiki Kawabata, 18, plans to attend a university in Fukuoka Prefecture from April. He cried when Nagabuchi sang about leading a straight life.

“The faces of my friends and family popped into my mind,” Kawabata said. “While I am worried about living by myself, I strongly felt I would live in a direct way in order to fulfill my dream.”

He said he wanted to become a physical education teacher like his parents and become a filial son.

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