From Tokyo to Damascus: A Japanese Youth Finds His Home in Syria
In a unique journey across continents and cultures, a Japanese man widely known as “Yamada” has chosen Syria as his home, marking the latest chapter in a long-standing commitment to humanitarian and human rights work that began in 2011.
Yamada’s connection to Syria traces back to when he was fifteen years old. While living as a student in Paris, he witnessed the broadcast of mass protests in Syria on television. He describes that moment as the major turning point in his life and the catalyst for his future goals.
Deeply moved by the story of the late Abdel Basset al-Sarout, whom he viewed as an icon of the uprising after watching the documentary film “Return to Homs,” Yamada began taking action. He organized solidarity events at his university in Tokyo and, in 2017, established the organization “Japan Stands with Syria.” The group focused on providing field support within the city of Idlib, often navigating complex media landscapes to deliver medical, educational, and economic aid to Syrian families and survivors of former regime prisons, despite facing various security threats.
After years of advocacy, Yamada fulfilled his dream of traveling to Syria in 2025. Upon his arrival, his first stop was a visit to the shrine of Abdel Basset al-Sarout, where he reaffirmed his commitment to stand by the Syrian people.
Yamada’s activities today go beyond human rights documentation and advocacy. He has expanded his efforts into the social and service sectors with the opening of “Rokuomi Maru,” the first authentic Japanese restaurant in Damascus. For Yamada, the restaurant is an extension of his humanitarian mission. While his human rights work focuses on restoring the dignity of the oppressed, he sees his culinary work as a way to provide Syrians with a space for joy and a sense of normalcy.
Reflecting on his path, Yamada emphasizes that his choice to live in Syria is not a fleeting decision, but an eternal commitment to a people who embraced him and whose sacrifices he deeply respects. He views his presence in the country as a way to give back the love and support he has received over the past decade. He intends to remain in Syria, describing himself as an inseparable part of its fabric, and expresses his profound gratitude for the sacrifices made by Syrians, which he believes have paved the way for a new reality that he looks forward to helping build.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
