An email after 44 years

At November 25th, an email in English has reached my inbox. The subject was 'Fuchy/Chofu/Kanto Mura circa 1966-1967 JA1VMG'. Even with my rusty English, I knew it was from Jim straight away. I was astonished that he did remember me for that long time.
We used to have a same hobby, Ham radio. I was a good high school student and so he was too, and we got along well together soon. He patiently put up with my poor English, I remember.
Immediately, I was drawn back to the old days when I was delivering papers at Fuchu Base and Kanto Village, and was pretty anxious about other Newsboy and colleagues, particularly my Manager, Mr. Takahisa, and Mr. Ken Torikoshi. How they are now.

The last postcard

postcard

July 18th 1966, a postcard was delivered from Jim on his way home to the states. That was the last contact we had until now. I still keep the precious postcard now.

My decision to create a web site

An email from Jim after 46 years motivated me to create a website, and to record my memories back in 1964. It was an excellent timing because I was taking some pictures of current Fuchu city around the former Kanto Village and Fuchu Base with my friends for our social club 'Fuchu Town Information'. The website could be a great tool to share the information with Jim in America, I thought. To start with, I launched a Japanese version now, and am contemplating of translating into English soon.

Phoned my class mate and ex-Newsboy

I called Mr. Kamijyo who lives in Harumi, Fuchu, and who used to be a one of the Newsboys back then. My initial research has started from there to investigate any clue about the Newsboys and staff members back then. Where are they now? I wonder if someone still has some photos from the time.

Stars and Stripes News on the Internet

Stars and Stripes

I wonder whether the Stars and Stripes News still exists. I've heard years ago that the editorial office had moved to Yokota Base. When I searched under 'Stars and Stripes, Yokota', there was a hit. The hard copy appeared to be the same 46 years ago.
It is a regular item on the shelf of the Big Mama at Yokota Air Base.
I went to the Base on the following day (January the 6th 2013), and asked if I could call the office of the Star and Stripes News at the Gate 2. The security guard was Japanese. He gave me an internal extension number. I called the number and spoke to one of the staff straight away, and made an appointment for January the 9th. On my way home, I dropped in the 'Big Mama' shop, and briefly had a chat with the shopkeeper about the Newsboys. I bought a copy for \52 after 46 years.

Antiques 'Big Mama'

bigmama

Antique shop 'Big Mama' carries furniture and collectable items from 1950s and 1960s America. They also sell 'Stars and Stripes News'. It is located at opposite of the Yokota Base, on the Route 16, at Fussa, Tokyo. Their Blog actually mentioned my recent visit to the shop. I was pleased.


Visited at Stars and Stripes Yokota

January the 9th 2013, I met one of the current Stars and Stripes News staff at the Gate 2. Unfortunately, a person who could give an authorization to enter was on his annual leave, and I couldn't go into the office. Furthermore, Mr. Ken Torikoshi was retired last June, and wasn't there either. I was surprised that he kept working at the Stars and Stripes News after I left for almost a half a century. Well done, Ken.
There is no employee who I knew besides Ken at the Yokota Base. It must be expected considering after 46 years. We shared some old episodes there. Recently it tends to be that the number of the subscription has been decreased. It is pretty much the same story across any news papers, shifting from a hard to soft medium.

Torikoshi Ken was in a hospital when I called

PS&S staff

Ken was the only employee who kept the job after we left, and only person who knew our Newsboys. According to his wife, Ken suffered a stroke a year ago, and has been in a hospital since. I had a cold, so I decided to see him when I got well, but I sincerely wish him a quick recovery.
A photo around 1966.
Far left: Torikoshi Ken
Far right: Tkahisa Manager

Met Mr. Ken Torikoshi after 45 years

I went to see Torikoshi Ken at hospital for the first time after 45 years. Unfortunately, he couldn't recognize me. He retired the Stars and Stripes News in June 2011, but suffered a stroke in the following year, January. He could still understand some of my old episodes and smiled few times. I trust he overcomes his medical condition to full recovery soon. I wish him all the best.

An article of Trikoshi Ken's 48 year service

Article1 Article2

An image from the Stars and Stripes News article about Ken's retirement. It tells the value and hard work of Ken for 48 years at the company.
Left: Ken at old days
Right: Ken at his retirement
PDF attachment of the articles is available in English. StripesKANTO AUG 5,2011(#1)
StripesKANTO (#2)


Phone call to Mr. Teru Hirano

I called Teru after 45 years. He left the Stars and Stripes News a little after we quit, and then joined the Tokyo Fire Defense Department, servicing for 36 years before retiring from them. I emailed him our photos seeking his information about the Newsboys, however, 45 years of blankness made his memory faded too much, and sadly he could not recognize me. I am hoping that seeing then in person sometime in future brings some faded memories back and be able to share my episodes together. I am planning a reunion near future.

Takahisa Manager has gone

My Manager, Mr. Takahisa who used to look after myself the most has sadly passed away. I remember we visited his house once after leaving the job. That was the last time I saw him. I am sorry that I could not see my dear manager often enough. Please rest in peace.

Baseball Game

Baseball Game

I can't remember myself, but I found this picture of a baseball game at Green Park. The centre front row is myself. I met only Mr. Kamijo in Fuchu after 46 years. I wonder what others are doing these days.


Keep searching

Since the email from Jim, I decided to create this website.
I keep searching the other Newsboys and their staff, so that I can see them in near future.


My heart is already in the States

I wish I could see Jim once again. If I made my dream of American tour come true, I could see him. I believe in so.

A request and thanks

Seeking images of former Kanto-mura and Fuchu Base

If anyone has pictures of Kanto-mura and Fuchu Base around 1964 to 1968, I'd like to hear from you. I wish to upload those images to keep adding more information on this website, if it permits. Please contact me via email or phone.

Images of this website

Your precious images were used to help forming this website. I sincerely appreciate your generosity and understanding. If there is any issue on this website, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Myself

p-cle.com

I am at my local area Fuchu.
After my retirement in June 2011, I have launched 'P-cle Timing' myself. I wish to be a help of others, and my first priority is to help and please others by providing my service. Profitability is not my concern at this stage.
I also provide a support to my loving local community by launching a Local Information site, called 'Town Info, Fuchu' with my local volunteers, offering some tips and useful information of the Fuchu City.

Contact

I welcome your comments and new information any time. Simply send me an email or drop a line.

Administrator: Minoru Saito
Address: 1-10-27 Shimizugaoka, Fuchu-Shi, Tokyo 183-0015
PH: Japan (81)90-6003-0390
Mail: msaito@asa.email.ne.jp

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