Photo/Illutration Mohammed Mansour, on the screen, and Norihiko Kuwayama talk online soon after the cease-fire started in January. (Provided by Norihiko Kuwayama)

A longtime mentor of Mohammed Mansour, an Asahi Shimbun correspondent who was killed in an Israeli missile attack on March 24, vowed to carry on their work on behalf of his close friend. 

Norihiko Kuwayama, 62, conducted humanitarian aid activities in Gaza along with Mansour as members of the Japanese nonprofit organization “Chikyu no Steiji” (Stage of the Earth).

Kuwayama, a psychiatrist and president of the NPO, felt heartbroken when he learned of the death of Mansour, 29, who was reporting on the fighting from Gaza.

“We must remember Mohammed Mansour’s wish,” Kuwayama said. “He sought peace, not retaliation. I believe our mission is to spread his message of ending this war, which he entrusted to us.”

Chikyu no Steiji supports children in warfare or disaster-stricken areas, both in Japan and overseas, by providing mental care.

Mansour had been providing support in Gaza as a local staff member. Kuwayama and Mansour met for the first time when Mansour was 13.

During a mental health workshop for Gazans affected by Israeli attacks, Mansour drew a colorless picture when asked to depict his memories of the airstrikes he had endured. 

Seeing Mansour's depressed mental state, Kuwayama made a heartfelt decision to stand by him.

About 15 years later, they called each other “father” and “son.”

Mansour often told Kuwayama that his dream was to go to Japan, which helped him persevere through all the hardships.

On March 19, Kuwayama heard Mansour’s voice for the last time. They participated in an online meeting to share their activities in Gaza with Japanese supporters of the NPO.

At the end of the online meeting, Mansour concluded, saying, "The situation like now is very difficult in Gaza. But we will continue to work hard. We love the people in Japan. 'Arigatou.' Thank you so much." 

Kuwayama said Mansour sent an email to Japanese staff members at around 11:30 a.m. on March 24 (around 6:30 p.m. in Japan), an hour and a half before he was killed.

In the email, he suggested how to distribute food aid in Gaza, which the organization was discussing, taking the situation in Gaza into account.

Mansour was searching for improved ways to support Gazans up until his death. 

Kuwayama learned about Mansour’s death, not long after he received the email from him.

Kuwayama lamented that he would never again receive any messages, pictures or videos from his close friend. He also felt that whatever he and other NPO members might do in the future, nothing would change.

But Kuwayama is trying hard to move forward because if he gives up, he thought Mansour would have scolded him, saying, “I’ve continued these activities while risking my life. You should continue them on my behalf.”

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