Your soul beautiful to even remember a friend and reached out to find her ,you found her married with addition lil friends Thank you for sharing this should encourage others to do the same thou every ending might not be the same I absolutely love this❤❤❤❤❤👑
CBC Docs thank you for sharing the story of the true friendship between Jessica and Fukue! I’m from Japan, and while waiting this video, I cried so much with joy! Good job, Jessica for finding her! She is so lucky to have you as a best friend! I had a pen pal from Connecticut when I was in high school... I wish I could find Rhonda!
I don't think the romantic type of love is special. And I am started to think that the romantic type of love isn't real. I mean about more than half of romantic couples either break up with each other or divorce each other, while most platonic best friends remain friends until death. Also, most people are pretty much comfortable enough to be naked around someone and have sex with someone that they have no romantic feelings towards. So sex isn't really a thing about romance. I think that having a platonic best friend is a lot better than having a romantic partner or spouse is. Having someone who's like a sibling to you is a lot better than having a romantic partner is. Also, you would more likely be much closer to a person who's like a brother or sister to you than you would be with a partner or spouse. People tend to fight with their partner or spouse a lot more than they do with a platonic best friend, and you never fight with your best friend the way you fight with your partner or spouse. Partners and spouses are just temporary. If you break up or divorce them, it's hard to go back to them. With your platonic best friend, you're going to make things work, because they are your best friend, they are your go to partner. It's always easier to make amends with them than it is with a romantic partner or spouse.
Fukue was bullied in school, yet she was so important to 1 person that after so many years and no contact this 1 person flew across the world to find her again. How beautiful! Never doubt how special you are Fukue
san t I know that was the most beautiful part. Fukue thought nobody cared about her but that reassured her that people did even to this day. To go to those lengths to reunite. Both of them are wonderful human beings.
How can people get those C words mixed up? She loved her bff.. they picked each other at the darkest times and she wanted to know if she was ok due to her horrible childhood... pep are just mean n miserable
If you quit or stop going to school, it’s not the end of the world. Parents should not push their children hard to go to school when they say they don’t want to go.
@billyfromtheusa TBF the stuff people experience in prison goes way beyond bullying at that point they're fighting for their lives. I have yet to see a Facebook post stab anyone the face yet.
@@ennyuiui It is NEVER your fault if you are bullied. I'm so glad it built up your character and that you were able to confront your bully. But for many people, bullying ruins their whole childhood. Schools should NEVER tolerate it.
Of course the school has all the yearbooks. It's not like the principal himself kept them in his own personal possession. Just like ANY school, you can find ALL of the yearbooks. It's nothing out of the ordinary. Every school keeps records of their history, students, faculty, and beyond. Same exact situation at my elementary school.
Yeah, the fact he took time off to help this lady find a long lost friend. I doubt they'd do that in the states...probably not even return a phone call. I love Japanese culture for such niceties as that but unfortunately they also have bullying like every country. In a way it might make kids more resilient and grateful to still form friendships. The Jessica was probably viewed as an oddity and Fukue sensing their being mutual "outsiders" chose to try to get to know her and their friendship blossomed. That is scary when you lose touch with someone, you fear they are dead, lost your contact info and moved away and will never be found again...So awesome the news people were there to also help find Fukue. Yeah, probably since it is a small town and this westerner musician who came back would make the story all the more compelling for locals.
@@miameow4833 "I doubt they'd do that in the states" Ummm a TV opportunity for the school and the Principal for something positive? I doubt you'd find a US school that would pass that up lmao.
Adam Eves yes it is out of the ordinary because I was a librarian and we keep a clean not written in copy of every year. The one he had was his personal one with all the children’s special writings in it!
Funny thing is, i felt weird at the thought of her Fukue seeing a story about it before I found her and got in touch, cause they gave the story soooo much press, which I didn’t expect at all! It all worked out tho 🤗
This made me cry. I also have a "lost pen pal" in Japan. I am an American woman, 74 years old, and exchanged letters and small gifts with Yoshiko Jinno, of Nagoya, from about 1958 to about 1963. She was two or three years older than I. She suddenly stopped writing to me. In the last letter, she told of a young man she was in love with. My memory is foggy about details, but as I vaguely recall, she did not think he loved her. She sounded sad, maybe even a bit hopeless. I wrote another few times, increasingly puzzled and worried. I never heard from her again. Somewhere, I have those letters, but they are in a storage locker and I am too old to dig through everything to find them. I have thought of her many, many times over the years. I would love to tell her how much she opened my eyes to other cultures and places. All my life, I have longed to know other places and have had some opportunity to travel. In 2012, I had the opportunity to go to Tokyo and Kyoto on a semi-business trip, but only for a week. Finding her would have been impossible in that time and without being able to speak the language. I loved my trip, and it was melancholy, as well as fascinating. Yoshiko was with me the entire time, out there, somewhere. I hope she is happy, with grandchildren and a little house of her own.🌱🌼🌱
Damn, I felt that. You know somewhere out there, she probably still thinks of you and feeling the same way you did. It makes me sad just thinking about that. Thank you for the story.
My first day of College, I had a "crush" on the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. After a semester, we became best friends. I could never tell her how I felt because she was so beautiful. 20 years later, we ran into each other and she invited me out to dinner. After 20 years, it felt so comfortable to be around each other again. A year later we married.
That picture is so iconic. I feel like this story should be preserved somewhere. It's just beautiful, like something you would read in a book. Friends from completely different backgrounds, formed a bond so strong during their childhood, that when they became adults, one of them did as much as she could to meet her friend again.
Ah yes this reminded me of a fun girl last time I was playing WoW (7 years ago), she said she was going to the army and no news since. While writing this I didn't realize it was actually 7 years ago (summer 2013) lol so this matches perfectly what you said 😄
My heart is broken for childlike Fukue. How wonderful that Jessica cared so much that she went back to find her. I hope this life changing reconnection has made Fukue feel truly loved.
@@TingTingalingy speaking from personal experience, it could have been nothing more than that she was poor. I grew up in a rural area with about 50 kids in my entire elementary school, and the poorest kids were bullied mercilessly, even when the other kids weren't much better off.
@@GwenActually yeah.... IDK about comparing Japan to other countries. They're a world unto their own, in pretty much every way imaginable. Even today, an assumed to be Japanese men in front of me thanked a store greeter. In USA to be that cordial is not common amongst the mentally sound. But for the japanese, it is. We are simply incomparable. But yes, the poors will always be ostracized, as it's usually warranted
@@biddiemutter3481 poor people by and large make endlessly bad decisions, eat badly by choice, dress badly by choice, work minimum wage jobs as careers by choice etc.
I love that Jess has the same mannerisms as the Japanese, still speaks Japanese fairly well and is respectful in that sense. It warmed my heart when she found her.
Is it really so shocking that someone who at a young age goes to school in a foreign country would be well adapted? When moving to a country the appropriate thing to do is to strive to integrate in as many ways as possible. Jessica and her family clearly did their best to adapt to their surroundings and a key component was learning the language and the manners. Not to mention how is one to learn effectively if one cannot understand the language? I wasn't shocked at all when she started speaking Japanese, the thing that I did applaud her for though was the way she correctly accepted the business card. Even I made the mistake of not properly inspecting someone's business card the first time I was in Japan and I prepped thoroughly for that trip.
Beautiful story... I'm 57 now.. Had a pen pal when I was 16...we never met but I loved him.. We wanted to meet but neither one of us could afford it... However to make a long story short we met 18 years later.. By then we were both married to different people.. It was a tough time but or friendship remained intact... I became very ill and could not afford medical treatment in my country. He invited me to his country where he got me the best in the medical field and paid all my medical expenses. He and his lovely wife and caring family took care of me for two months then I returned home. That was 20+ ago. We are still in contact via social Media. I was invited to visit this tear but covid 19 changed things... GOD place folks in our lives for so many different reasons. I'm glad He placed my friend in mine. Great friends are a blessing.
I feel a bit jealous seeing this as I have never had a friend like Jessica. She literally flew across the world to find her friend. I hope I find a friend like her someday.
That's not how it works, it's more that you have to be ready to be that Jessica for someone, or to mean so much for someone's life because of your caring that you change their life just like Fukue did for Jessica. You have to be willing to give infinite amount of love to deserve some of it in return.
@@creuvette29I respectfully disagree, this isn't really a thing you need to be "ready" for.. friendships like this can come out of nowhere, even a simple encounter in a grocery store with someone or commenting on a video online can lead to friendships that last the test of time. Even more so than IRL ones.
@Ken narville if you wish to be left alone don't leave inflammatory comments in a place that will be seen. How old are you by way? I'm guessing you are a young person. I don't know what you have against the Japanese but it could have been India, Germany, etc. where her parents took her. The point was she never forgot her childhood friend.
I had a penpal in Greece whom I lost contact with one day. I messaged his brother through Facebook, only to find that he died of illness. I flew all the way to Greece to visit his grave. Of course, I met his mom, his brothers, and his friends. He’s always my angel.
My penpal loved drawing. He had lots of drawings of me. When his mom saw me, the Asian girl he used to draw, she hugged me tightly and burst into tears. That was so heartbreaking.
Don’t know if I have ever seen such a perfect picture of two innocent kids .. best friends standing back to back .. and their happy expressions .. painted a thousand words
Imagine leaving such a positive impression on someone's life that they never forget you, even years and years later. Think we should all try and do that :)
Yea I was borned in Pakistan and I had so much fun with my best friend, when we'll go back to Pakistan I'll surprise my best friend it would be sad if he moved to a different country.
@@JayRuiz-jm8yk I have a half-sister I haven't seen since I was 10 years old she was 20 and now I'm 60 and she 70 I finally found her on Facebook he lives in California I live in Las Vegas 5 hours away from each other 🥰🥰😍
It’s just so crazy that some people that know each other for 2 years can have this kind of relationship and while other that have been friends for 10+years can stab you in the back for some benefits 😔
Hi Jessica your story made me so sad but yet so happy too.I'm just glad that you found Fukue alive and ☺Wish you many more years ❤ as friends wished i had a friend like you
Ooooh that's so true, as somebody with first hand experience of this. Good friends with this bloke for 8 years, throughout highschool and Uni, and he stole a pair of shoes from me, for literally $500, he threw a 8 year old friendship out. I never saw it coming.
Gospel of Jesus Christ John 3:16 For God So loved the world that he gave his only Begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not Perish but have Everlasting Life. Jesus Christ Died for the sin of the World, If you believe in ur heart God risen Jesus from the dead and confess him with ur mouth to people you shall be saved. Jesus said I Am The only way to heaven there is no other way! Repent of urs sins (Repent means Change ur Mind turning away from sinful things and being truly sorry for it.) trust Jesus and give ur life to him He Loves you cares about you more than anyone ever will! we are saved By Grace Trough Faith!,this is sin: Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death but the gift of eternal life in our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23 For all have sined and felt short of the Glory of God. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Romans 1:18-21, 23 KJV Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 REPENT OR YOU WILL PERISH REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL GET RIGHT WITH GOD LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Half of the anime I've watched are basically this story. Half of that is one of them doesn't remember the other, or both don't remember having been friends like, three years before -_-
@@unarmedblackguy don't read the comments then🤣 it does not take a genious to know that the comments are for discussions about the video... Are you on drugs?!
The two kids look so happy together. Even more proof, that there's always somebody, in the world, that's thinking about you. Someone, somewhere, always.
Really?... ... ... ... I dont know. maybe??. ... ... . I've been detached to all of my schoolmates ever since. . Thinking what am I right now, if I am successful you mean?
I think some of it has to do with the fact that she felt guilty for leaving her in that condition, that's why she had to come back to see/make sure she was okay. It's so wonderful how humans in such short time can develop so much love and affection for each other. It also shows how a single human can have such a great impact on your life.
Ken narville, dude, I’m sorry for whatever bad experiences you’ve had with Japanese people who you thought were your friends, but please don’t assume that that means ALL Japanese people are just like that. To state such an assumption about any race or nationality as a whole, as fact, is to overlook the human individual and imprison yourself in a sad, lonely little box. I could never wish that on anybody.
Ken narville, you’re entitled to your opinion based on your personal experience. At the same time, if you keep in mind that no matter how painful your personal experiences with Japanese people have been, you have not met and gotten to know MOST Japanese, you can still go forward - with caution, yes, but not without hope. Each human being, regardless of race, nationality or culture, is an individual you can only evaluate after taking the time to get to know. Evaluating a person negatively _before_ getting to know them, not only does your fellow human being a disservice; it does *you* a disservice as well, depriving yourself the opportunity to explore possible friendships or life-enriching relationships. I’m not saying you need to try to get to know more Japanese people if you’re still hurting from your past experiences, and need time to heal. I’m only saying please, try to keep those experiences in perspective: try to remember that the number of Japanese people who wronged you, are in no way most of the Japanese people in the world. As long as we have not yet met and become well acquainted with the majority of individuals in any demographic, we cannot in all fairness slap a negative label on all or even most of them. By all means, share your experiences if you need to process what happened and find closure, but don’t let your pain drive you to make sweeping derogatory statements about any group as a whole. Don’t abandon hope just because it’s easier to be angry.
SO important to have childhood friends. They shape our lives and influence us so much that we only realize the impact when we grow up. What a lovely friendship and reunion.
Very true. I wish I had that. My oldest friend is from 7th grade but nothing more past that. Even then we don't really talk much. They've never been a sociable person so even when I do reach out, making plans is difficult. My next oldest from 9th grade, we still talk often and go on trips often. That friendship is something I really cherish, even if I don't get to say it that often (because they do not like emotional stuff much).
oh.... I was bullied I was attacked verbally and phisically and shunned at public school and the teachers never cared , I was the shy, weird, quiet autistic girl who wore glasses all her life, I never had a true friend but I had fake friends bc idk how to make friends. I dreamed of finding my true love or finally getting a real true friend sigh seeing that video make me feel a bit jealous, like as if I want to get that feeling but I never had a good friend....
@@ClydeW893 BRUH WHERE- last time I checked, no other comments are talking about her death, and I searched it up and nothing, so someone's fibbing here..
@@nancy54379 Yes. Fukue. She committed ss. I remember seeing the video about it. She was lonely and left behind her husband and children. Her childhood was not very good and she was bullied her whole life, not just during her childhood. They found her vehicle and she wasn't inside, they did an investigation and she was found by a riverbed. It's super sad what happened. I can send you the link and video if you like.
I lost touch with a school friend when he emigrated to Western Australia and divorce. We parted with unspoken friction. Many years later I began my search on the internet until I finally tracked him down. There after we wrote and called regularly until his untimely death earlier this year. I am so glad we renewed our friendship and I understand completely how deep the bonds are. Well done!
i had to consider all the possibilities when we went to look for her in Japan, so that was unfortunately one of them. Things went soo amazingly tho! I feel so lucky! thanks for watching our story!
That picture of them when they were young, back to back with each other, is so wholesome. Like it wasn't in real life. Like it was from a movie. So beautiful.
I did the same thing as Fukue once (cut off contact with everyone because I was in a really bad place in life) so I understand why she did it. Kudos to Jessica for never forgetting her friend.
Yeah, I did that once as well. I moved away from a great friend and I didn't keep in contact. I was being bullied where I moved to and distracted by a lot of other goings on in school, life, etc. She ended up finding me again and we met up.. she asked me why I never called or kept in contact. I tried to explain that it wasn't her, how it was several other things... she didn't understand. /: We really don't talk much now. 'Fun' facts, people change yet stay the same, I couldn't relate to her as much as I did as a kid.
I cut off my friends from not being accepted the way I am. I was an entertainer at girls gatherings and this one from my close friend didn't want me at all to dance. She felt that's what's making me being popular and she disliked it. I helped her in many ways beside bathing her kids, taking them to parks, even cleaning their poop sometimes but that just never felt enough for her. We were friends for almost 15 years I totally respected her house since she was married everything i wanted i had to ask but that never felt enough. She copied my dressing style even my habit gosh! she just liked the way i talked the way i do things and after she got enough from me, When i had a very difficult situation that i expected her to help me, she ignored me and started making some distance from me and this happened when i got married in 2015. I just decided to delete her out of my life but I can't get her out of my mind from what she did to me it was unbelievable. My husband just can't stand the stories he hears about us and he does understand WHY MY FRIEND REALLY AFFECTED ME EMOTIONALLY, AND MENTALLY. Pray for me guys friends are horrific!!!
it’s really interesting not just that she learned japanese in a year, but that she also managed to keep the knowledge of it even without having interactions in japanese regularly
Its that ability to still hold that knowledge despite not using it as often as she did as a child that I find admirable. I believe she's in her 30s in this, so at the very least, if she left Japan when she was a child, there is at least 2 decades worth of time that past since her need to use it often for communication. That's pretty impressive
I’m impressed she has keep up the japanese language even tho they were not in japan for long. Edit. Yes they were pen pals but it’s been over 30 years since the last letter. It’s touching she kept the japanese language (likely) because of the emotional connection.
Depends. I was a native English speaker and when my dad became handicapped my parents moved in with my mom's family. Apparently, my family bullied me, called me a snob for not knowing how to speak my parent's language so they put me in preschool where I was taught the alphabet, how to write, etc and when we moved back to the USA I didn't know English and had to start over again lol Oh, and my family teased me for not knowing English 😏 (this is why my parents decided to move back to the USA, bc my family was never supportive and my parents noticed I was developing low self esteem, which continues to be a daily struggle but I've made improvements)
@@cynthia2901 this is true, my family moved to sweden when i was 5 years old and we lived there for 2 years, we returned to australia after that and it has been 17 years yet somehow i could still pick up slightly when i heard people speaking svenska (swedish language).
I feel this! I somewhat have a similar story on a lower scale. In 2013/14/15, we hosted a Japanese student at our house in NZ for 2-3 weeks each year. At the time I was a primary schooler of age 6/7/8 years, and loved having international students to stay. Along with my family, I remember absolutely loving having our host-students to stay! It was fun to see them interested so much in us and our culture, which is what made it interesteing for me to learn about theirs. In the short space of time, my family and I formed a huge bond with the host students, keeping special memories for life that I still remember today. After they left, we kept in touch by mail for a number of years, sending cards and letters back and forth. And then, slowly, with each student, the letters just stopped. Most likely because they were all busy in their lives, graduating and moving on, and we were also busy with our, enough that our effort to keep in touch wasn't enough. The last we recieved a message from any of the students we had was in 2016, 8 years ago. While it's not quite 30 years, it still felt like an eternity. I always meant to write to them, but the though just kept slipping out of my mind. Finally, at age 17 and absolutely obsessed with Japan, the culture, sights and history, I decided to go to Japan. Partly to experience my interests in Bonsai, gardens, temples and the intruiging ultra modern side of the country, but also to see if I can reconnect with our old host students. It took a while to get in touch, addresses, emails and phone numbers had all changed, but nothing like a bit of "facebook stalking" can keep you from answers. So 2 months ago, I soloed my way to Japan, paying for and planning everything in my 3 week trip. I stayed in hotels, got around by train, and managed some of the worlds biggest cities all by myself without hesitation (yes, I am very proud ;D). And also, after 8/9/10 years, I finally met up with each of our old host students in their own country! It was soooo amazing! I was so worried about what they might think, do they remember me? But the moment I saw them, we connected like a spark. They were so excited, so welcoming, so sorry that the connection all fell apart, but also so happy that we both remembered each other and the experienceds we shared all that time ago. It was sad to have to leave them again, but after that new ignition, we now keep in contact. It goes to show that those who really care, are really interested, and have good hearts will never leave your memory.
I am so glad this turned out happily. My grandmother had a similar experience, but it did not turnout well. Grandma had a very good Japanese BFF who lived in the US for nearly 20 years before she moved back to Japan. This was in the days before the Internet became available to the general public, so they wrote to each other often. I remember the stacks of letters Grandma kept. The last letter she received from her friend, she wrote she was coming back to the US and I remember Grandma was so happy and it seems like she was 20 years younger after receiving that letter. Sadly, her friend never returned to the US because she lived in Kobe, and about 4 months after she wrote the letter, the Great Hanshin Earthquake struck and killed more than 6,000 residents of Kobe. Grandma's friend was among the dead. Our family was so afraid for her because of the deep depression Grandma went into. Even though Grandma was not a Buddhist, she had made shrine in the style of a Japanese butsudan in an alcove of her house in memory of her friend.
A true friendship is a bond of respect, love and endless laugher. My heart and thoughts go out to yr Grandma. Please place something from me on her shrine. Much 💖
This made me super emotional. I wonder how many people have a friend that has impacted them so much as a child. For me... watching this was uncanny because I have a mirrored experience of what Jessica and Fukue had. My Childhood BFF was Kaori and she moved to my town. We had about 2 years together and were very close. Our younger sisters were the same age too so we all played together. I remember the day she moved- She and her family came to our house to say goodbye- we were all crying as we waved to each other and they drove away. She moved to another state and then back to Japan. We tried to stay in touch as pen pals too! But we lost contact. I have a little folder with pictures of us and some letters she sent me. They have the names of her mom and dad, but I have no idea where they moved to after leaving the states. Even though I've always dreamed of finding her again, I'm was never sure how. I'm really glad these two reunited. It's really special.
Why don't you mention their full names right here? One of the four people in their family may be reading this very story as they had a similar experience with you. They can contact you right away.
Her Japanese is pretty good despite the fact that she only lived in Japan as a small child for a very short period of time. Japanese is a difficult language, and I'm saying it because I am a Japanese native and have helped college students learn it here in US. Even for me after years of living in US, retaining my Japanese is hard.
its not we got ABC chinese weebos here in Australia that can already speak Japanese fluently after going to japan a few times and learning it. Once you learn the syllabals the rest is easy. Its easier to learn than chinese
@@blackcactuz that means you not a Weeb. Weebs and Otakus esp asians are so fluent they learn it naturally from hearing music, reasing mangas and going to japan for short holidays. a large majority of Asian young adults here knows fluent japanese
yeah.............aint it great? never judge a book by its cover kinda thingy. its too bad some kids/adults are asses. mostly in the raising i would say.
What a sweet and heart warming story I know exactly how Fukue tell because I was bullied the same as her I'm glad her life turned out as well as it hasn't she was really happyshe deserves the best in life and hats off to Jesse for finding her you can just see that they're meant to be
Of course, the Canadian girl provided security and trustfulness in situation where the Japanese girl would otherwise be bullied. Who wouldn't be appreciative of that?
I watched this video a few years ago, and here it is again in my RU-vid feed. It was and still is one of the most beautiful and touching videos I've ever watched. I'm an elderly man, and this brings an upwelling of emotions again in a remarkably wonderful way. Thank you for sharing your and Kukue's story. The reception and help you received in Saku was truly amazing. I am so happy you found your friend, that she is doing well and has such a beautiful family.
I would echo your thoughts, sir. I, too, watched it a few years ago and it came up in my suggestions just today. I had to watch it again and even though I knew the outcome, I still had those "what if" feelings. It's a great story.
I thought the same thing! Wow! She even writes Japanese characters. I had such a happy cry watching this story. Would that we could all learn a foreign language so well and retain it after 30 years. And such a beautiful friendship. Vive l'amitié!
@@genroynoisis6980 I'm not sure that's true. I've heard that, while children learn quickly, they also forget quickly. And from my limited experience, I would say that seems to be true. I think it depends more on how deeply she learned it, and whether she did anything to maintain it after leaving Japan. Having been immersed in it, using it for the majority of the day, every day, for a year--that's going to result in some might deep learning. English speaking adults, even living in Japan, are not likely to be nearly as immersed in the Japanese language, especially if their work involved using their native language (as her father's did). And I expect she did put significant time and effort into maintaining her Japanese.
@@RU-vidallowedmynametobestolen Fair point. My native language is Filipino, but I can only speak in a child-like way using the most common phrases. I think the Canadian musician also said something along these lines on video. I left when I was 7, for Australia. I myself have also started forgetting some of the less common nouns, adjectives, and action verbs in Filipino; it feels weird, like when you lose track of your car's keys and have to think back to when you last held them (if that makes sense lol). Earlier this year on a trip to the Philippines, I found myself stammering and stuttering with my words, which was embarrassing. In the case of this video, I'm positive she had to revise some basic Japanese to write and speak like she did as a kid*. *Note that you only need a native speaking child's vocabulary to communicate adequately with people face-to-face in another language. Writing is a little harder, but it's still possible with a little revising.
She got bullied but look at her now, living her life to the fullest. Steady job, big car & lovely family. I'm glad they finally met each other after 30 years.
five reasons why japanese doesn't make good friends: 1 they choose who is worth to hear their tatemae (truth thoughts ) and prefer to use tatemae ( lies) no matter how hard we're polite or nice to them 2 they only thinks to work-work over over 3 they pretends to be kind they just force themselves 4 they never wants to learn internatuional languages, and when we speak poorly japanese they mocks at our accent 5 they have xenophobia
Such a beautiful story. I also had a girlfriend from Okinawa and we’ve lost touch. It’s been 30 years, I’ve tried FB but no luck. Her name is Yuri Izumi. I hope that she is doing well. I am so happy for you and Fukue ❤
Did you try any of the people search companies?? It costs $5 to $30. Google her name and I’m sure there will be people search you can see to look into.
they said it was a small community with no foreigners. of course they would remember strangers that look absolutely nothing like them from across the world coming to teach them english
@@matthewtasman I live in a small town which both me and my dad have lived our entire lives. Crazy enough, I've had people who when I meet them, ask who my dad is without even knowing my last name. I guess him and his 4 brothers were pretty well known around town so that's why.
I was tearing up during the documentary. To think that this little Japanese girl had made such an impact on Jessica's life that 30 years later she travelled 8,000 kilometers to try to find her. Simply beautiful and so heartwarming!
@@li1978 well I did end up finding him back through Facebook, though we've obviously changed throughout the years at least my thoughts were wrong and we're still cool
@SirSnufflelots Well, if someone impacted your life and it doesnt matter if it was just a year or 6 months, wouldn't you be curious wondering how they are doing? Like she said, Fukue isn't on social media and its been 30 years. 30 years of wondering what happened to the person that changed your perspective and that gave you inspiration.
Imagine how this must have been from Fukue's perspective. She's going about her life, having made the best of herself and living well. Life is good. Then all of a sudden your sister calls you up and is like "yeah so your best friend from childhood literally came here looking for you because she misses you and wants to reconnect." Like. Just having an ordinary life and thinking the next day will be the same when suddenly you're having this emotional meeting with someone very important to you who you never thought you'd even hear from again. So happy to see this worked out the way it did! EDIT: I forgot to mention, I love that photo of them both standing back to back. They look like sisters, related or not. That's exactly the kind of picture I'd expect to see with me and my sisters :P
Yeah. And my english teacher woupd say. Break down the prompt and write a narrative essay from fukue's P.O.V We have exactly 45 minutes. By the end of the class I need a complete draft. Voice level 1. Good luck.
My wife and I are so happy for you for finding your childhood friend. We all have childhood friends, but not all of us are fortunate to reconnect with them. Your story is so beautiful. Thank you!
I'm originally from northern Italy (lake Garda). When I was teenage I became friend with a Danish boy that used to come in holiday in the summer with his parents. I didn't spoke English at the time and he didn't spoke Italian, however, we became friends. Every year I was receiving a postcard from Denmark, nothing written, just a date. I knew that was the day he was arriving at the camping in my village. We lost contact when I went in the army, I was 17yo. Then my parents moved house. After the military service I started to work in catering and travelling between Italy and Switzerland, never had a chance to find him again. At 26 I moved to England, where I still live. A year ago, I received a message in Facebook. ...it was him! We are now planning a meet either here in England or in Denmark... I'm now 48yo. ❤️
The whole time before she found her I was scared her friend had died or something and this would have a sad ending. But I am so happy they found each other again and was able to reconnect successfully after 30 years of separation. It truly is a miracle of friendship. I cried when they were able to catch up on lost time again :') Makes me think of the time my Bestie found me by chance after 7 years.
@@annie-ek1vu its very prominent in Japan, and other asian countries, I think the reason was something about being modest or something. A lot of people do it because they are self conscious about their smile.
This has to be a live action anime. The perfect photo to go with the perfect title, "Finding Fukue", the emotional buildup with the suspense on whether she would find her friend or not and having the ability to make me shed tears.
It’s really crazy how one single person can stay in your mind and soul forever, the impact that one person can has in your life is really powerful to me
Its true in my 2nd grade i made a pinky promise with a girl to be bff but i forgot her face and name but i still remember those words and keep that promise i still wonder who she was and why have u forgotten
Same here. I was born into a Christian home and went to a lot of conventions as a kid and I became super close friends with another kid. Both he and I were pastors kids so we saw eachother at every meet up in the maritimes area for about 9 years straight untill my family moved to another province. We didn't have social media or cell phones back then so I had no way of contacting him and the phone number I had from him was changed and I never got a new one. My parents didn't know his that well either so I had no help in finding him. Life moved on and through the years I always wanted to contact him but I can only remember his first name. All I remember about his last name is that it was Russian (can't find him on any social media of any kind). I'm almost 40 now and I still think about that kid to this day. David if your still out there I hope your leading a good life. Love you bro.
Yes. Makes me think she may have been bullied not because she was poor but because she was pretty. Kids can be cruel. Jealousy can be a big motivator for it too.
Damn right. I was just thinking I bet none of her bullies turned out as pretty as her. Jesus christ! And I'm a 45yo man, not some weeb who gets a hard on for anything Japanese.
Ash Chaya Ash I'm 58 and amazed at how young she looked, at first I thought it was her eldest child, true friendship will outlive anything, any distance or any amount of time and what a pity it's such a rare thing now.
I tried to find my best childhood friend a few years ago. We lost touch a long time ago but I still thought about him a lot. I did eventually find him, but he had passed away at only 18 years old. I'm glad these women found each other before it was too late.
I'm really sorry to hear that. Part of the reason it was so important for me to find Fukue is because as a teenager I lost one of my best friends and three others, all 15 or 16 years old, all in a 10 month period, so the chance that I might be able to still find one of my beloved important people from the past was extremely important to me. Thank you for watching and my condolences.
TheJessicaStuartFew You have such a beautiful soul, Jessica. Your story touched my heart. Your life journey is interesting. I’m glad you have a YT channel. Subbed right away!
I mean the examples in this video would kinda happen in 99% of places I feel like I don't think I could go to a city hall here in america and just ask for somebody's information and expect them to give it to me lol
@@reddillon8425 It's actually a problem in the US regarding this stuff. Abusers, rapists, and the like stick to official methods of tracking people because it is reliable in providing information. So unless you're on witness protection, which requires whomever is targeting you to be convicted or connected to some proven conspiracy, you arent really 100% private.
What does your country not do that ? Here in the UK and most of Europe we have DPA laws that prevent your information being shared and has strict adherence.
@@audioxix it's a locality thing. most local county or city governments are willing to give information about residence if requested. especially things considered "public information" like where you live and what not
This video has come up as recommended a few times over the years and I always said to myself “I’ll watch it later”. This time I told myself not to miss it. It’s such a beautiful story about friendship that I came to tears by the end. So glad Jessica was able to reconnect with Fukue and she made a good life for herself. I hope they never lose touch with each other again.
Surely she didn't finish her education after grade 4. I wonder if adult education is a possibility in Japan. How disappointing to learn that bullying is severe in Japan among children. Do the teachers not address this in school? Great rhetorical questions, I have.
@@evelynmeyer9857 bullying is severe in every country. It what happens when dumb teenager fight for dominance. Don't be an unesessary racist. The pressure on children in japanese culture might be especially high, but severe bullying happens in every country. With and without teacher watching.
I agree. But what you might more amazing is how the community went to the lengths that they each did to reunite these 2 beautiful ladies. While in the military, I had the honor and privilege of going TDA to Karena Air Base in Japan several times. And each time I felt more welcome than the time before. The people of this beautiful islands, the culture all just a wonderful experience. I hope that I would be able to return there at least one more time before my life ends.
@Ron Happold "A bunch of Jews"? I doubt their religion was something most of the Japanese were even aware of since the only reference to it (their religion) is one video taken within their home with only the Stuart family taking part. They were Caucasian, Canadian, spoke English and happened to be Jewish, and you figured the Japanese village/town remembered this family by the factor which was least likely to be known, and which was the least visibly/physically identifiable? Your mind works in strange ways.
@Darren Headrick I have to agree too, I went to Japan for a vacation on new years 2018-2019 and I have never felt so welcome by strangers anywhere else.
That's so wonderful that you two reunited!😂❤ I couldn't hold back tears. Fukue's reason for stopping communication is totally understandable! Your journey is so well filmed! Thank you for sharing your story! ❤ I also lived in Japan in my 20s, for a year, and also have a panpal !
TheJessicaStuartFew yup! I was like “nah I’m not interested” then after getting recommended so many times I was like “k what the heck” and I don’t regret it at all😩
when she said "when you were around,i would always go to school",it broke my heart.i had a rough childhood ,i know what it's like to find that star in the middle of your misery and have it taken away.i hope fukue is happier now and she gets a great life.they were so cute together,true friendship is like true love,it happens so rarely,it's important to always be there for your bf
Fukue grew with all the hardship accompanying her.. means that she will gotten stronger. But that doesn’t mean she is living in great life for present day. It may be hard as beford or even more, but she ca. Adapt it as time goes by.. seeing fukue character at their reunion, i saw fukue being a bit clueless, like she just so empty on what to ask, what to share, she even cant showed her greetings to her thousand miles friend that put an effort from A-Z. A sign for showing her struggle in life, too much things messing in her heads. It killing most of her happy thought.Fukue’s life is clearly not the same as jess even though they study at same school before.
Just keep in mind the timing. Much closer to ww2, a lot of older folks hatred of 'others' gets transferred to the kids through association. Nowadays maybe it'd be a bit different. I'm guessing that Jessica is almost 30 orso and that she was there in the 90s.
That is sad situation in Japan. These bullying are still exist. They discriminate if people are little differentt,race,mixed,buraku origin, poor,new rich(narikinn) etc. When I grew up, I did not suffer from those bullying at all.
Wow, dang I teared up good. To carry that love in your heart for your friend for so long is truly inspirational and even more so to be able to reconnect again---true friendship is an amazing blessing.
if you want another true story that sounds like a fairytale, hear me out: I live in a super small town in Mississippi, but my family and I try to take a vacation every spring break. When i was in 7th grade (2017), we went to Houston, TX, and we stayed at a hotel. While we were in the hotel, my mom, grandmother, sister, and I went to the pool. Because it was March, the pool was kind of cold, so we got into the hot tub instead. Inside, was a teenage boy and his grandmother, who were from Bandera. We all got to chatting, and everything was cool. By the end of the night, me and the teenage boy had become friends. I knew a lot about him, and he knew a lot about me, but neither one of us knew each other's full name. However, I did know his girlfriend's full name (Sara - because it was spelled the same as mine, and Halsey - because I liked the singer Halsey). I tried to find both of them on social media, but nothing. I tried Facebook, Instagram, everything. A year later, and I still occasionally tried to find him. To no avail. By this time, I was in a different school, desperately awaiting coming back to my regular public school. After the summer of 2018, so a year after this whole spring break trip, I came back to my regular school. Reunited with old friends, made some new friends, etc. Pretty much forgot about Trea (Texas kid), but it was still a memory in the back of my mind. Around October of my 9th grade year, we got a new kid, who was from San Antonio. I mentioned that I new one or two people from Texas, but Texas is such a huge state, obviously he wouldn't know them. He had green hair, and his name was Charles, but everyone called him Tank. He was pretty cool, and we became good friends. I eventually followed him on Instagram, stalked him a lil bit cause I had a crush on him, the usual. Well... one day Tank posted something on his story. The little slidey thing that says "how much do you think i like you?" and a familiar name came up in the responses. Sara Halsey. I came to school the next day, and Tank was wearing a Bandera High School Powerlifting t-shirt. I ask him about the girl who voted on his instagram story, and he says, "Oh that's Sara!! She was friends with me when I lived in Texas!" "She dated a guy named Trea, didn't she?" "What, did you instagram stalk her or something?" "No. Her account is private. But I met Trea in a hotel on Spring Break a year and a half ago," After all this went down, I contacted Sara, found out she and Trea had broken up, and got his instagram. I still keep in contact with him to this day, and it's one of my favorite stories to tell.😂
Warren Kawamoto I think she could’ve of furthered her studies. She does have an accent but not so heavy you can’t understand! If she did keep the knowledge then 🙏🏻🥰
I think by “still talk like a kid” she meant that so many Japanese learning books teach “informal” first, which is what kids learn. I highly doubt she didn’t further her studies right before she went to Japan. And then she probably learned that there’s a certain way that kids and adults talk that you only really find out right before intermediate level
I am so glad they could reconnect. Friendships can be so powerful, especially in childhood. Even though they were halfway across the world, it makes me happy they could find each other again.
My wife found her lost pen pal! They were penpals through 'international youth ' a Finnish company that matched kids all over the world for penpals, popular in 70's Her penpal was Finnish girl. They started to write to each other since age 13, exchanging gifts and letters for another 20 years ..etc. But then they lost contact when her penpal moved to another country to work. Her penpal finally found the postcard my wife had sent to her mum's address with my wife's email on the postcard,and they finally met in Helsinki in 2017 for the first time. I saw my wife ran to hug her penpal, that was just so touching. -- to our surprise, her penfriend still keep the gifts my wife sent 20-30 years ago.
Went to Japan and stay with a teen girl and her family for an exchange and i didn’t understand japanese and they didn’t understand english but i lived there for weeks, i was alone so i followed her around like a puppy everyday. They fed me well, gave me presents and we took a lot of photos just like normal friends would do. When I left, we kept in contact through instagram because photos can communicate, for some reasons, she would change her LINE (a messenger app) and instagram but she would always inform me, she'd follow my instagram and DM me 'new! new!
@@JESSAakaJessicaStuartMusic Thank you Jessica for this wonderful story. It reminds me of my childhood moving to America at age 10 and was bullied for being being Asian and not able to speak English. Today, I still remember the faces of those who were kind to me. I suppose kindness will always have a bigger and lasting impact.
@@fredlin6303 Funny you should say that. It also reminds me of my childhood. I grew up in Germany and I isolated myself from everyone else for no apparent reason. I have digestive issues, so that might be part of the explanation, but I'm still piecing everything together. Take care.
I had a foreign exchange student that I was friends with who was from Japan...I regret not making friends with her better, as she was a nice girl. I also feel bad that I forgot her name, though she was in my senior year high school book.
