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JAPAN Forward has launched "Ignite," a series to share the voices of students in Japan in English. How do they tackle our fears of isolation and loneliness, and how would they use kindness to vault us beyond our imagined limits? Individually and collectively, the next generation is leading the way.
This 21st essay introduces another winning work of the Institute for International Business Communication (IIBC) high school student English essay contest. Misaki Yamadai, a student at Hyogo Prefectural Ashiya International Secondary School, confesses to the loneliness she felt at an international chess competition and how a perfect stranger showed her another way. How can we apply her lessons in this complicated world? Let's listen.
Twenty-first in the Series, 'Ignite'
Misaki Yamada, Winner of the 2024 America-Japan President's Award for Her IIBC English Language Essay.
A cloudy, gray-colored sky spread above me. Here I was. After the seemingly interminable flight, I set foot in the Netherlands to compete in a chess tournament called the "FIDE World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad" to represent Japan. I felt extreme anxiety, nervousness, and loneliness as the only girl on the team. The other three boys I only barely knew and scarcely ever exchanged any conversation with. It was my first time competing in an international tournament, so I was scared and unprepared.
For the first round, I was paired with a stronger opponent. I put in a strenuous effort to cling on, but in the end, I lost control of the game and suffered defeat. As soon as the pairings for the second round had been revealed, I realized that I was paired with an opponent who was around the same strength as me. "I have to win this round," I thought to myself. I felt so nervous and alone facing this round, given the fact that I didn't have any friends there, and therefore I felt as if all of the competitors were my "enemies," coming to destroy me.
The second round had begun. Beads of sweat trickled down my face. Time was ticking, and I had to act fast. "I have to make my move," I thought, but my brain went blank, and I just couldn't make my move. 10, 9, 8…. I moved my hand to reach out for a piece. Just as my tremulous fingers were about to press the clock, I glanced and saw a big, fat zero shown on the clock, signaling that I had lost because of time. I was heartbroken.
A Stranger's Embrace
After resigning and shaking hands with my opponent, various emotions, like regret, anger, frustration, and sadness, hit me, and I bawled my eyes out. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I felt somebody embracing me. It was from a girl whom I didn't recognize.
She wasn't my opponent or my friend, she was just another competitor. "It's alright. You did well." She comforted me and stayed by my side until I calmed down. At that time, I was flummoxed by the sudden course of events and didn't understand the situation, so I was only able to squeeze out a "thank you" before she left. Afterward, I understood the gesture of kindness the girl took and regretted the fact that I wasn't able to appreciate her more or even ask what her name was.
Two days later, I came across her again at the venue. I expressed my gratitude for her actions, and we talked for a bit. There, I found out that her name was Renata, and she was representing Paraguay. She was only a year older than me. In the middle of our conversation, I got curious and asked her why she hugged me after the second round.
She looked a little surprised and told me that she wanted to comfort me simply because she saw how dejected I was. I couldn't recall a time when I had comforted a stranger like that. Therefore, her actions were eye-opening to me, but to her, they came naturally. She told me that it surprised and amazed her that her actions made such a positive impact on me.
The Difference Kindness Makes
Her actions comforted me and made my day. Not only that, but this gesture taught me that my opponents aren't my "enemies," even if we are fighting hard in-game. We are just a congregation with similar interests. After being comforted by Renata, I calmed down and was able to win a few nice games and play to the best of my abilities.
Renata taught me the importance of kind actions and the difference they make. Knowing the impact such actions make, I look around and try to make a few acts of kindness to everyone. It requires quite a bit of courage to take these actions, but I believe that these small gestures will make the world a better place.
About the Author:
Misaki Yamada was a fourth-year student at Hyogo Prefectural Ashiya International Secondary School when she contributed this essay in 2024. Upon winning the America-Japan President's Award in the IIBC essay contest, she shared these remarks:
"I am truly honored to receive the America-Japan Society President's Award.
"When I saw the theme, memories of an encounter I had at a chess tournament in the Netherlands a year ago came flooding back, and I wrote this essay that very day. It reminded me once again that kind feelings and actions can be conveyed to others, even across cultural differences. I hope to continue to cherish my encounters and communication with people.
"Finally, I would like to thank everyone who organized the essay contest."
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Author: Misaki Yamada
Student, Hyogo Prefectural Ashiya International Secondary School
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