Abstract

The author is the president of Hokuyo Construction Co., Ltd., a company based in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
In 2012, he was diagnosed with spinocerebellar degeneration, a progressive and incurable neurological disease, and was told that he had ten years left to live.
This disease gradually causes the cerebellum to atrophy, leading to a loss of motor function, limited movement in the arms and legs, and slurred speech.
As the condition advances, lung function declines, and ultimately, breathing stops.
However, the cerebrum remains unaffected, meaning the patient’s intellect and cognitive abilities stay completely intact.

Author’s Information

President and CEO, Hokuyo Construction Co., Ltd.
Born in Sapporo, Hokkaido on October 31, 1974.
He joined Hokuyo Construction at the age of 17 in 1991 following the death of his father, the company’s founder.
In 2012, he was diagnosed with spinocerebellar degeneration, the same progressive neurological disease that had afflicted his father, and was told he had ten years left to live.
He became President in 2013.
Since its founding, Hokuyo Construction has employed more than 500 former inmates, guided by his firm belief that “people who have work do not reoffend.”
After receiving his prognosis, he became even more proactive in hiring former offenders while pursuing graduate studies in “Criminal Employment Studies.” He advocates for creating an environment where companies can more easily employ ex-offenders.

He completed his master’s degree at the Graduate School of The Open University of Japan in 2015.
His numerous honors include the Higashikuninomiya Culture Award and a Letter of Appreciation from the Minister of Justice.