I took a look again at the albums of photos of my first visit to Vietnam in 1997, together with the group of Japa Vietnam. I recalled the visit with nostalgia since all I did at the time was to play with children and young people. I am not good at considering economic projects of assistance but, talking to young people, I felt happy to realize that life meant to them the same it means to me. People who go abroad experience two types of reactions when they compare Japan to other countries. One reaction is to consider Japan differently. The other is to look at the similarities between both countries. This second view shows my opinion. The landscape, climate and buildings are certainly different, but the lives of the people living there are quite similar. This is difficult to express in words.

Before leaving for Vietnam I remember I read a passage of the New Testament that tells that we bring within ourselves a great treasure placed in earthly vessels. Assistance from outside can be considered as a frame that will be put to work only through the vitality of the Vietnamese. Such a thought gave me the certitude that this is also true for me in Japan. We have the same treasure life.