Chapter 210 - Name and Reality 133 {161 Solo} (382-384 Remote Grave Marker)
"First of all, it goes without saying that the people who fell victim to tako-beya labor were ignored by the administration of the time, including the police, as a necessary evil for development, never protected from abuse or forced labor. On the contrary, you've heard stories that the police would actually crack down on laborers who escaped from the work camps, right?"
At Nishida's words, Takeshita, Yoshimura, and Takagaki nodded two or three times.
"And then there are the gold panners, Senzaki, Mende, and Takamura. These three were victims and perpetrators of death by disease and murder, respectively. But setting that aside, there was a gold rush in Hokkaido before the war, much like on the West Coast of America, and many people rode that boom. They are people who have now been completely forgotten by history."
The other three listened to Nishida's story with interest.
"The last one, Sada, is obviously someone who, because the police investigation was obstructed by Oshima's intervention, was in danger of being processed forever as just a missing person. I can declare that this was a complete dereliction of duty on the part of us police."
Takeshita remained silent with his arms crossed.
"Thinking about it this way, regardless of whether there was malice involved or not, I think these three groups share a commonality in that they were either abandoned or forgotten by society. If that's the case, if they were victims of tako-beya labor, they might not feel like they were 'caught up in something unrelated...' Rather, it might have been a sense of 'fellow sufferers pitying each other'... Well, it's nothing major, just something I imagined on my own. I just wanted to say that."
Having said that much, Nishida looked down slightly and smiled bashfully, uncharacteristic of his age.
Then Takeshita spoke up.
"I understand perfectly what you're saying, Nishida-san. And more than anything, that connects directly to what I talked to you about on the phone in Osaka."
"Osaka?"
Naturally, Nishida asked back, not grasping the meaning of what Takeshita had said.
"Don't you remember us talking about how the expression 'Remote' in 'Remote Grave Marker' was a pretty good turn of phrase?"
At those words from Takeshita,
"Ah! Come to think of it, when you were at Kuboyama's office in Osaka and we spoke on the phone, you did say something like that... Even though you said it was a good phrasing, you started saying the meaning of 'remote' I used and the 'remote' you appreciated were different, and I only got a passing grade!"
The memory of that time surfaced vividly for Nishida, but Takagaki and Yoshimura naturally didn't understand the meaning of the conversation between the two, so Nishida and Takeshita gave a brief explanation.
"I get that, but what is it you want to say, Takeshita?"
When Nishida asked Takeshita for an explanation again, he began.
"The story goes back to 1999, when I was in Kobe for a joint follow-up report by Hyogo Shinbun and Doho (Author's Note: Foreshadowing to be mentioned later), so I'll take a bit of a detour."
Nishida, Yoshimura, and Takagaki all knew, of course, that after Takeshita left the police and joined Doho, he had covered Kobe and Okushiri after both earthquakes from January 1999 (the year of the Great Hanshin Earthquake in '95) to July (the year of the Southwest Hokkaido Offshore Earthquake in '93), wrote articles, and won the Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association Award as a group.
"Please make it easier to understand than usual," Yoshimura said with a nuanced expression, but Takeshita continued without concern.
"While the Great Hanshin Earthquake brought tremendous damage to the Kobe area, places like Osaka, which weren't that far away, suffered almost no damage; it was quite localized. And more than anything, after the reporting on the Subway Sarin Incident in March, while public interest didn't disappear, it was certainly diminished considerably."
At Takeshita's words, Nishida and the others recalled the situation at the time.
"When I went to cover Kobe four years later, although it was something I knew beforehand, I ended up seeing people who had clearly been left behind by the reconstruction or who were isolated. Regarding the isolated people, I think you know to some extent from the news at the time, but because they didn't consider the social allocation of the communities where people lived before the earthquake at all, elderly people appeared who had no acquaintances in their neighborhood in temporary housing. And even if they died like that, cases where they were left for several months without anyone noticing occurred frequently. Naturally, since the administration hadn't experienced such a situation until then, they couldn't have predicted that things like lonely deaths would occur, even if it wasn't anyone's fault. And while a considerable amount of donation money was collected, because it's a densely populated area in a large city, the amount per person didn't amount to much. It's obvious, but with the loss of self-employed shops and mortgages for houses that were completely or partially destroyed or burnt down, many people reached a dead end in rebuilding their lives."
Foreshadowing mentioned later
The story of Takeshita going to Kobe for a joint article by Hyogo Shinbun and Doho was touched upon in:
Meijitsu 2
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5921df/79/
Meijitsu 73
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5921df/150/
respectively.
*
"There were those, lonely deaths and isolated deaths... And that subway terror. That year was truly a turbulent year..." Takagaki spoke as if remembering each event.
"Yes. I think it truly was. Furthermore, for myself, Nishida-san, and Yoshimura, it was an even more turbulent year with the series of criminal investigations." Nishida and Yoshimura felt the same as Takeshita.
"On the other hand, in Okushiri Island, which was also devastated by a massive tsunami following the earthquake in July '93, because a lot of donation money was collected for a small island with not much population, the amount of donation money per person was more than enough for subsequent life reconstruction. Of course, setting aside the high number of deaths relative to the total population, it's also true that the subsequent reconstruction was not such a harsh journey. It was, in a sense, a contrast to the many lonely deaths and people reaching dead ends in their lives in the middle of Kobe, a large city with a population exceeding one million, after the earthquake."
Receiving that statement,
"Because Okushiri Island is a remote island in a depopulated area, public attention was focused and aid reached everywhere, so while it was a great misfortune, if you only consider life reconstruction, you could say it was a blessing in disguise. This is strictly on the premise of it being a great misfortune, though." Takagaki repeated "great misfortune" but pointed out the great irony of the aftermath of natural disasters in large cities versus depopulated areas.
"It's just as you say, Takagaki-san. And while I was covering the lonely deaths in temporary housing in the middle of the million-city Kobe, for some reason, the 'Remote Grave Marker' here in the mountains of Hokkaido's great nature naturally came to mind. When I think about the reason, even though the surrounding scenery is completely different, it's probably because of the commonality that both have many people who died without anyone knowing... However, at that time, it was only a recognition of that level."
As far as they had heard Takeshita's statements up to this point, the three still could not understand why he had praised the expression "Remote Grave Marker," especially the word "Remote." Yoshimura immediately said,
"As usual, Takeshita-san, your way of talking is so roundabout," and gave a wry smile, but as per his usual pattern, Takeshita ignored him and continued.
"After that, I returned to Hokkaido and happened to see the word 'Remote' (henkyou) in a dictionary. It's not like I was specifically looking up the meaning of 'Remote,' though."
"Doesn't 'Remote' mean something like the middle of great nature far away from human habitation, where there are no houses at all around? From the perspective of a born-and-bred Hokkaidoite, I can understand the counterargument that it's an exaggerated expression to use for this place."
Nishida answered ahead of him, but was lightly corrected.
"It certainly is a word with that image, but actually, those surrounding environmental aspects don't have much to do with it. The meaning of 'Remote' seems to be stronger in its geographical sense, like 'a region or place far removed from the center of a country or region, such as the capital or a large city.' It also seems to mean a region along a border. Well, those kinds of places somehow carry the image Nishida-san mentioned, and in America, it seems to be perceived that way (Author's Note: the so-called Frontier)... In other words, the expression 'the farthest reaches' might fit."
"I see... In that case, even if places like Nemuro or Wakkanai have a decent population, they can be called remote." Nishida said, convinced.
"I think that's exactly right. To put it in a troublesome way, it's a word that refers to a place with a considerable 'physical and geographical distance' from the capital or central large city of a country or region. For me too, it was a bit different from the meaning I had imagined." Takeshita explained with a wry smile.
But then, taking on a more serious expression than ever before,
"However, at that moment, I suddenly realized after several years since '95 that the word 'Remote' actually fits very well with the commonality of being a 'forgotten existence,' which Nishida-san also explained, transcending the differences in outward appearance and environment between those temporary housing units in Kobe and this place with the Remote Grave Marker. Until then, as Nishida-san said, I had thought, 'Isn't calling this place remote clearly an exaggeration from a Hokkaidoite's perspective?'"
Meanwhile, Nishida was reflecting on how not only Takeshita but also the detectives at Engaru Station at the time, including Yoshimura but excluding Sawai, had expressed mediocre impressions of the phrase "Remote Grave Marker," and Nishida himself had felt somewhat embarrassed by it.
"So, what's the reason?" Yoshimura urged as usual.
"In other words, if you take the 'physical' part of the 'physical distance' contained in the word 'Remote' and replace it with 'psychological,' and replace region or place with 'position'... or more accurately, 'social position,' and re-interpret the meaning of 'Remote' as 'a social position with a considerable psychological distance from the center of public concern,' then it fits perfectly."
Takeshita answered Yoshimura slowly. To that answer,
"I see, psychological distance... In other words, a considerable psychological distance connects to being 'forgotten,' is that it?" Takagaki confirmed while being convinced.
"Yes. Regardless of whether it's the result of intentional or malicious ignoring, or the result of non-malicious indifference, I think the feeling of the word 'Remote' fitting the sense of despair of people left behind in places where public concern doesn't reach is something you can't quite get with other words. Re-interpreting it in that sense, I felt that the expression 'Remote Grave Marker' was, as a result, quite accurate considering the respective circumstances of the people buried here, as Nishida-san said earlier."
Hearing this view from Takeshita, Nishida finally understood the answer to the conversation he had with Takeshita at Kuboyama's office in Osaka. In the sense Nishida had originally spoken, it was only at a passing grade level, but it was only through Takeshita's "conversion" of that meaning that it was evaluated as a "masterpiece."
"I see, I understand. If you take it that way, a different meaning comes out of 'Remote Grave Marker,' and with that interpretation, I can certainly feel it became an appropriate expression." Nishida looked around and praised Takeshita's idea with restraint. And the fact that Yoshimura didn't interject at all might have been an expression of his own agreement.
"But thinking about it that way, 'Remote' in that sense... so to speak, a 'Social Remote,' would appear more frequently in crowded cities than in sparsely populated countryside." Takagaki said thoughtfully.
"...That might be true. In an environment overflowing with people, you can't afford to care about others one by one. This isn't so much that individuals are bad, but if you were to pay attention to others in such a place, the burden would be too great and your spirit would be broken. You have no choice but to ignore each other's existence and feign indifference. In the countryside, because there are fewer people, there are parts where you conversely have no choice but to direct concern toward each other." Takeshita also nodded.
"And from now on, it's certain that Japanese society will be hit by hyper-aging and a declining birthrate. If that happens, people who meet a death like the lonely deaths in Kobe, without being watched over by anyone, should be seen in large numbers in big cities like Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo. Ironically, 'Remote Grave Markers' will stand in clusters in the middle of big cities that are treated as the centers of Japan or regions, far from the literal meaning of the words. Precisely because I was raised in the countryside of Fukushima, I don't have the slightest intention of straightforwardly affirming the density of human relationships in the countryside or the meddlesomeness of social ties, but I can't help but be pessimistic about what kind of conclusion the dry human relationships of the city will bring to Japanese society in the future..."
At the end, with an expression even drifting with a sense of tragedy, Takagaki spoke of a "prospect" that was the polar opposite of the tone of his words.
"Hey, you two! I felt pretty dark when I was listening to the end of Oshima's story, but don't make the atmosphere like that here too!" Yoshimura explicitly showed an attitude of having had enough, but that likely meant he had had enough precisely because he had thought about it, not that he was refusing to think. Nishida also thought of the emergence of many "non-malicious" remotes that Japanese society would likely face from now on.
However, he felt that at least "malicious" remotes could be prevented in many cases if the police, to which Nishida and the others belonged, faced them seriously.
"But things like tako-beya labor and what happened to Sada should be preventable if we do our jobs properly."
Takagaki reacted to Nishida's muttered words.
"That's right. There are social remotes that the police and administration can prevent. But that's not just your job. Our job also originally has a unique role in preventing social remotes! Chasing incidents and accidents might seem more like typical, conspicuous journalism. But looking toward people left behind in social remotes, just because public interest isn't directed at them, is also the job of us people involved in the press. Right, Takeshita-san?"
At the end, he sought agreement from Takeshita.
"That might be so... Or rather, it must be so! Shining a light on people who don't get the spotlight. A plain but important role must be assigned to us, certainly."
When he rephrased it in response to the lead from his senior journalist, Takeshita made Nishida feel a strange sharpness in his gaze, as if he had renewed his resolve.
Just then, Nishida's cell phone rang; it was a call saying that Boss and his party had arrived at the parking space. And before long, figures approached from across the tracks. Chief Priest Matsuno's pace was a bit slow, perhaps due to his age, but Boss walked toward them with a stride no different from the two detectives, even over the relatively poor footing.
And when Boss came before Nishida and the others,
"I'm truly sorry for having you go to all this trouble. I never thought I'd be able to finish visiting my father's grave before my arrest, so I'm deeply grateful."
He bowed before the detectives from Engaru Station who accompanied him could say anything. At the same time, he seemed to recognize Takagaki and gave a light nod, so Takagaki also replied by saying only,
"An outsider is intruding."
After confirming that exchange was over,
"No, no, that's fine. It's the courtesy of Engaru Station more than mine."
After telling Boss that, Nishida bowed to the two detectives who came along and also expressed his gratitude to Matsuno.
"Thank you for coming all this way, Chief Priest."
"Not at all. Actually, I was originally supposed to come in September, but I had been in poor health all through autumn. Rather, since I was the one who had to come, it's a bit poor to say it's a godsend, but I'm almost grateful."
Matsuno replied that way, but his complexion was good, and Nishida sensed that the story of being in poor health until recently was probably a lie, and he had likely come in September. In fact, regarding the offering for this grave visit, when he had asked Engaru Station to check in advance, it had been firmly declined.
Then, after everyone cleaned around the grave marker again, the grave visit for Mende, Boss's father, and a simple memorial service for the other deceased began with Matsuno's chanting of sutras.
Seven years ago, it had been a memorial service with the primary purpose of apologizing in advance for the "disturbance" caused by the search, but this time it was a grave visit for the pure purpose of memorializing, and Nishida, Takeshita, and Yoshimura, who were observing a moment of silence, were able to concentrate purely on mourning the dead. Takagaki was likely the same. And Nishida was mourning not only the people sleeping at this grave marker but everyone who had died in the series of incidents. At the same time, it was a prayer while chewing over the meaning of "Remote" that Takeshita had mentioned earlier.
Boss, too, must have been visiting the grave while thinking strongly of the father he had never met, let alone seen even a photograph of. Ironically, partly due to Boss's blackmail, the remains of his father, Mende Shigeyoshi, which had originally been properly separated, had been mixed with the other dead, but one wouldn't know what he thought about that point without asking him directly. However, as far as Nishida could confirm by peeking with his eyes slightly open while praying, it seemed he was accepting it as his own karma.
When everything was over, Boss once again thanked everyone and bowed. And then,
"Once I've finished my atonement, I'll come again, Dad. Sorry, it was my fault."
He shouted lightly toward the grave marker. After hearing that,
"Well, shall we go?" Detective Kaga urged Boss, and he followed quietly with a "Yes."
"Well, we have to get back to Kitami too, so let's head back with Boss and the others."
When Nishida said that to Yoshimura, he responded, "Right."
"What will you do, Takagaki-san?" Takeshita asked again.
"I want to walk around this area a bit more to write my book (on tako-beya labor). But if everyone is leaving, I'll see you off and then come back here." Takagaki proposed.
"Understood. Then shall we go with everyone as far as the parking spot for now?" Takeshita decided to go along with Takagaki.
And then, immediately after seeing off the Engaru Station car carrying Boss and the Chief Priest, Nishida and Yoshimura gave a light greeting to Takeshita and Takagaki and then started their car.