Listen to Yushokutai member about Yushokutai.

Keith: Hello! First of all, nice to meet you Masa! I think it is the first time talking to each other and to be honest I was looking forward to this moment. So many people told me many good things about you, such as that you are a really good dancer!

Masa: We all dance! My core belief is that we all come into this world dancing! (laughs)

Keith: I think some other people might not know too much about you. Could you introduce yourself? Who are you Masa!?

Masa: So my name is Aita Masataka and I am a second year student in the School of International Peace Studies. Coming to Soka University took a while. It is actually my third attempt in getting into this graduate program! Now I can say that I am so glad that I couldn't make it on my first and second time.

Keith: What a challenger!

Masa: I was born in Ibaraki, Tsukuba (Japan) but I was raised in San Francisco, California (EEUU) known as the Ohlone territory.

Keith: Eeh, I didn't know that name…

Masa: Firsts of all I would like to say thank you to all, the Founder Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, his mentor and every person that paved the way to make what Soka University is. It is not about formalities, it is because I wouldn't be able to be the kind of person that I am today.

Keith: Wow, Masa! But from us, we would like to deeply thank you for making some time in your agenda and sharing your experience with some other students who might be looking for some words of encouragement.

Masa: Related to that, one of the questions that you shared with me in advance was to share a turning point moment during Yushokutai activities. For me there are actually a lot of them but there is a specific one which made me change my perspective. It was September 4th, when we had the International Students Cafe (ISC) Kick-Off meeting. I was asked to be one of the interpreters as Yushokutai counts with this kind of department inside. That day was actually 48h before I was notified that my mother was diagnosed with an adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cancer. At that moment, my mother had a severe intestinal inflammation making it the beginning of this battle. For me, mother is everything and still is!

Keith: I cannot imagine how much you might have suffered during that moment. I actually went through something similar before coming to Soka University. My father was diagnosed with lung cancer, and I was in a difficult decision about what to do. But it was thanks to the firm determination of my mother who strongly encouraged me to pursue my dreams of studying in the best university in the world as it is Soka University. I am everyday with a deep debt of gratitude to both of them and I could reaffirm what Founder Ikeda says about the mothers. They are incredible and count with an unimaginable strength.

Masa: She is my eternal soul-mate for world peace. She was the one who introduced me about Soka Education and the Founder, and I will never forget that. Then, going back to that kick-off meeting and the d-day was getting closer, I messaged my co-interpreter to back me up if I cracked. It eventually allowed me to execute my role which I could easily give up at that moment, but then I wouldn't be able to accomplish what my mother and our founder encouraged me to do. My mission in that specific moment was to “treasure the person in front of me” by allowing the people who were seeking to understand what Soka Education is interpreting in real time despite the struggles I was going through. We have to remember that there are thousands of people who are suffering and in inconceivable circumstances that need hope.

Keith: Wow! Such an attitude facing those obstacles is really encouraging and moving!

Masa: What I was asked to do the voice-over of the greetings from Mr. Tobita from the International Affairs Office, I can remember one sentence that he was sharing. “There is something that the Founder has mentioned numerous times. That is ‘What gives the people the willpower to live? That is to live for someone else other than you, otherwise known as human bonds. Those who were tied up on their own egotistical self will never be happy. Once you break free from that self and start taking action for others, you will start to feel rejuvenation, revitalization in your life.’”

Keith: I cannot agree more than that!

Masa: And you know about this year Soka University Festival theme “友よ、希望の新世紀へ (you my friend, towards the new century of hope)” and the ISC theme “希望の風に乗って、永遠に輝く未来へ (riding the wind of hope, lets advance towards the eternal brightful future)”, I can say that i recited each and every single day! Each time i could feel some wind that blew my face made me remind that was the “希望の風 (wind of hope)” (laughs). I need to inhale this, I said. At that moment, they were my daily mantras.

Keith: It is true that this year's theme made me also rethink my attitude and find or create hope from where there is none. What a marvelous opportunity we could enjoy together during this ISC. To conclude, could you share with us a few determinations to encomend to your juniors?

Masa: Especially in these times of difficulties I would like to ask you to have and create the courage to reach out. Somebody is looking for your support. Do not stop when someone tells you “I am okay”, as our Foundr says “be a person of courage”. I know it might be really hard, but please do not leave anyone behind. Furthermore, studying in Soka University is not about getting a degree and that's all. It is light years beyond that! And my determination is to keep forging myself for my mother, the founder and all the people who are supporting the school from behind the scenes. And of course, I will continue fighting for world peace as a representative of the department where I am in, Yushokutai!

Keith: Masa, that's wonderful! There was a specific part that you just shared which is “to become a person of courage” and I have to say that you are the example that everyone should follow! It might have been really hard to have gone through such tremendous difficulties, but you decided not to be defeated and made a step forward to even encourage the person in front of you. I am completely sure that those happened in the best way it could have been and especially here in Soka University where we have so many people around us supporting us all the time.

Masa: Exactly! I get it from everyone. When you get, you give.

Keith: Weel, thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful experience with all of us. I am sure that many people will get encouraged by reading it. I hope to meet you soon at school or talk again through ZOOM!

Masa: Thank you too for such an opportunity! I also would like to know more about you! See you soon!