Photo/Illutration Plaintiff Satoshi Egura, center, and his attorneys hold a news conference after the verdict at the Tokyo District Court in the Kasumigaseki district in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on April 21. (Saori Kuroda)

Every so often, individuals find themselves contemplating the essence of their identity.

In moments of introspection, even amid the routines of an ordinary day, questions such as “Why am I who I am?” or “What defines my existence?” may suddenly arise.

I have a mother, a father, family and friends who see me for who I am. Here I stand, grounded in this moment as defined by all these facts. But what if this understanding, so seemingly certain, were to suddenly and unexpectedly fracture?

Satoshi Egura, now 67, discovered 28 years ago that he was not biologically related to his parents. The shocking revelation came after his mother underwent a medical test, which unexpectedly revealed the truth.

Overwhelmed by the discovery, Egura delved deeper and uncovered a mix-up that had occurred at a now-closed maternity hospital in Tokyo—an error that had resulted in babies being switched at birth.

It is difficult to fathom the depth of consternation the revelation brought him. Driven by a powerful urge, he declared, “I want to meet my biological parents.”

As a child, he said he had often felt a lingering sense of disconnection within his family. After years of inner turmoil, he voiced a profound observation: “Knowing one’s roots is a fundamental right for anyone born into this world.”

These words, shaped by his struggles, resonate with considerable gravity.

A court issued a landmark decision on April 21 requiring the Tokyo metropolitan government to assist him in his search for his biological parents.

This ruling is a significant step forward, recognizing the fundamental “right to know one’s origins” and affirming that people are entitled to understand their own roots and heritage.

As I read the ruling, I couldn’t help but nod in agreement. If the investigation into Egura’s biological parents moves forward, the identity of the other individual switched at birth will inevitably come under scrutiny as well—two intertwined lives reflected like opposing sides of a mirror.

The parents of the other child will likely face their own profound emotional turmoil.

However, setting aside Egura’s right to know his origins simply to prevent such disruption would be far from just.

“If my biological parents don’t want to meet me, I won’t insist,” he explained. “But I want to meet them to truly understand who I am.”

This heartfelt statement reflects a profound, deeply personal desire—the yearning of an individual to know his own identity.

—The Asahi Shimbun, April 23

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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