Hideo Watanabe, Born Showa 7 July, 27
Cardboard Deliverer in Tokyo
As Mr. Watanabe walked past the Second Harvest Japan (S.H.J.) office, Charles, the founder and president, asked him to stop so I could interview him. He was friendly but slightly uncomfortable answering questions but readily agreed to be interviewed. Charles commented, “You can believe about half of what the homeless tell you. For example, Mr. Watanabe says he has an apartment in Shinjuku. Who knows?”
Where’s your hometown?
Niigata.What’s your job?
I do this (points to cart), helping (Charles).What kind of help?
If I can.I mean, for example, what sort of work?
I don’t know. Later, ask Charles.Um, you carry cardboard?
No.Bottles?
No. If there’s something that needs to be done.For example?
I don’t know.You don’t know? What are you doing today?
Ah, today, cardboard.Ok. So you bring cardboard to the factory?
Yes.From what time?
From 5am.Until what time?
10pm.10 at night? You work straight through?
Straight through.How much do you make a day?
That’s a good question. From 2,500 yen.How many days a week do you work?
Every day.You have no days off?
None.None in an entire month?
Not a single day.But every day the job is a little different?
No, the same.What was your previous job?
Occupation? I ran a sento (bathhouse) in Tokyo.When did you come from Niigata?
When I was little.With your parents?
No, alone.Why?
Niigata is not an easy place to make a living. Not a good place.What’s the most painful part of your job?
Nothing is comfortable.Tiring?
It’s a tiring life.If you get tired, can you take a nap?
Not so much. Even if I’m tired.How many hours can you sleep a night?
About seven hours.What’s the most enjoyable part of your day?
Collecting cardboard.What do you do if the weather is bad? Bad weather?
It doesn’t matter. Rain, whatever.You don’t have a jacket?
Nothing.What do you do if you’re sick? You look healthy…
I’m not so healthy. This guy (Charles) is a good guy. The best.Why?
He’s a good guy.For example?
He’s warm-hearted.I think so too.
Isn’t that right? He doesn’t mock people. Compared to Japanese, he’s great. He’s the best.How long have you known him?
A year, or half a year (laughs, perhaps because he’s speaking so strongly about someone he hasn’t, by his standards, known so long). He’s the best. Warm-hearted. The best.How long will you do this job?
As long as I can.Where do you live?
I have an apartment in Shinjuku, but I rent around here (Sanyo). Commuting is too expensive. I can’t do it. I lock the door. If I commute I have no money left. Please give my regards to Charles. He’s the best. A great human. The best. Give him my regards.the end