Mr. Hata and T, a father and son

For the next 3 days, I'm going to tell you a story as it unfolds. It's about family, love, life, death, and, I hope redemption.

Mr. Hata was told he had one year to live. That was 18 months ago. Last autumn, his goal was to make it through winter. And he did.

Mr. Hata told me about a son he hadn't seen in over 30 years. Did he just want me to listen or did he want me to search for him?

Mr. Hata wanted to see his son before he died and wanted me to try to find him. I opened my laptop and in less than 5 minutes I found him.

For several weeks, I facilitated communication between Mr. Hata and his son, T, whom he hadn't seen for more than 30 years.

Mr. Hata's son, T, had thought his father was dead. He was shocked to learn he was alive, and then shocked again to learn he was dying.

Tonight, T is traveling from western Japan to Tohoku with his wife & daughter to see his father for the first time since he was 3.

We decided I would not join the reunion. But a few days ago, Mr. Hata's pain became worse. On stronger meds, he can no longer drive.

Sitting here listening to Mr. Hata snore. His son arrives in 90 min. Am so happy to help fulfill dying man's wish, but feeling... nervous?

Amazing Tweets. This is what Twitter should be about. Follow Ian #ShoutOut for a universal story. A personal story.  https://twitter.com/DocumentingIan/status/718354879346053120 …

@yurikageyama I've seen 'general' news stories reported like this, but not personal stories. @DocumentingIan is onto something here.

Mr. Hata's son just texted: bullet train just left Tokyo & arrives in 1 hour, at 19:19.

They've arrived safely. I need to speak with his son about photos and tweeting. Will update soon.

You have to follow this  https://twitter.com/documentingian/status/718279796338388992 …

Start here and read @DocumentingIan for what looks like a story well worth following.  https://twitter.com/documentingian/status/718279796338388992 …

Follow this amazing & humane story as it unfolds. Powerful work by filmmaker @DocumentingIan  https://twitter.com/DocumentingIan/status/718279796338388992 …

.@DocumentingIan follows an elderly gentleman dying with cancer about to see his son for the first time in 30 years  https://twitter.com/DocumentingIan/status/718279796338388992 …

An amazing reading as story unfolds "real time", this is using Twitter in the very best way  https://twitter.com/documentingian/status/718279796338388992 …

My brother in law is at it again with an interesting new way to tell a true story. Fascinating! #truestory #live  https://twitter.com/documentingian/status/718279796338388992 …

Impatiently waiting for any updates, great work  https://twitter.com/documentingian/status/718279796338388992 …

Talk between Mr. Hata & T, the son he's not seen in 30 yrs, getting real. Mr. Hata says this is 1st & prob last time to meet as he's dying.

T tells his Mr. Hata because he never had dad, from very young age he wanted wife & family. He married & became father at 23. He's now 35.

Reading @DocumentingIan's feed right now is especially interesting for me as someone who also hasn't seen their father in 30 years.

@CandyAppleCat I wish all reunions could go as well as this. Sending my thoughts to you & your family.

@DocumentingIan I'm so happy he's getting some closure. I know how difficult it is to go through life with all those questions.

@DocumentingIan I hope the reunion works out well, Ian. I wish everybody involved much strength and wisdom.

This may be the modern version of the #radiostory #firesidechat @DocumentingIan #livestory #realtime

@DocumentingIan Hi Ian, glad I found this story. Helping me understand why my Japanese wife's lovely father has stayed in a loveless (c.)

@DocumentingIan marriage for 30+ years. He didn't want to lose contact with his 3 daughters. I'm glad to have met him. Well done!

.@DocumentingIan's real time story about father and son reunion is a bit bitter sweet, but I can't wait for his update. Hope it goes well.

@DocumentingIan i'm happy that they can meet again after so many yrs. so beautiful but so sad at the same time best wishes to both of them

@shah1r @DocumentingIan as a new dad to a one year old boy, that hit me straight in the feels.

. @mirza9 @shah1r thank you for following this! I don't have kids, but as a son to a great father, this is really emotional for me, too.

@DocumentingIan I will see my friend, fighting st4 cancer tomorrow. Her mom, now flew fr 九州 staying with her. Family tie is so important.

Worth following such a beautiful story unveil. These kind of documentaries remind us of life's beauty.  https://twitter.com/documentingian/status/718279796338388992 …

#ff my pal @DocumentingIan. He is always telling humane & beautiful stories, & is now tweeting one in real time  https://twitter.com/DocumentingIan/status/718279796338388992 …

This is well worth reading. A unique & touching human story unfolding live on Twitter. Glad I stumbled across it  https://twitter.com/DocumentingIan/status/718456583638810624 …

@DocumentingIan wonderful stuff, very moving following this story today

T is back to room he's sharing w/ wife & daughter. I'm in twin room w/ Mr. Hata. So grateful today. Story continues tomorrow. Good night!

Be sure to follow @DocumentingIan as tweet story continues tomorrow #Japan #families #documentary  https://twitter.com/DocumentingIan/status/718470030975864832 …

@DocumentingIan Ian, this is just beautiful. Thank you for this story!

Sleepless night. Mr Hata forgot morphine he's been on since Mon. Spoke to doctor after midnight, bringing him to outpatient hospital in a.m.

Day 2 of Mr. Hata and T, a dying man and the son he hasn't seen in more than 30 years.

Early a.m. after rough night. Mr Hata's throat cancer has spread to lungs; he's been on morphine patches since Mon, but forgot to bring.

Spoke to Mr. Hata's dr. late last night. Bringing him to outpatient this a.m. T will meet dr. caring for the dying father he has just met.

@DocumentingIan @mirza9 @shah1r freaking priceless. At the airport going to see my son after 2 months. Little tear

@maytechblog much peace to you & your family and safe travels! @mirza9 @shah1r

thank you Ian for sharing this impressive reunion w/us. it must be not easy for you too. good luck! @DocumentingIan

During coughing fit at breakfast, T reached over and gently patted Mr. Hata's back. A beautiful father/ son moment to witness.

Reading this story about father/son meeting 1st time in 30 yrs as it's told real time by doc filmmaker. #docutweets  https://twitter.com/documentingian/status/718279796338388992 …

Great story by @DocumentingIan that makes you rethink what's important in life. Worth following.  https://twitter.com/documentingian/status/718616254945239041 …

Жиргээг шинэлэг бдлаар ашиглахыг @DocumentingIan -ы аав хүү хоёрын түүхээс хараарай.

This very touching story unfolding live on twitter makes you rethink about what's important in life  https://twitter.com/documentingian/status/718620968730517504 …

Gripping story by @DocumentingIan makes you rethink what's really important. Can't wait to see this unfold.  https://twitter.com/DocumentingIan/status/718616254945239041 …

Amazing and touching story told live on Twitter.  https://twitter.com/documentingian/status/718279796338388992 …

@DocumentingIan All involved should win some kind of award for this. Very brave and moving.

@DocumentingIan Do they have Twitter Oscars?

Just left hospital. #mrhata refuses to go home & wants to carry on w/ plan to take T & family to hot spring & spend 1 more night together.

Mr. Hata is facing son he abandoned 30 yrs ago & facing cancer head on. T is facing father he thought was dead & is now dying. #mrhata

I beg you guys to read a touching and amazing story on father/son meeting for the first time after 30y separated here at @DocumentingIan .

Unable to eat all his soba, Mr. Hata passes his noodles to T to finish. T's wife giggles & says that's exactly what T's mom does. #mrhata

Amazing on so many levels. Thank you for sharing @DocumentingIan Mr. Hata and T.  https://twitter.com/documentingian/status/718402102523863040 …

On way to onsen, we pull over & to stretch our legs. Mr. Hata has slept most of way, but his face brightens at what's before us. #mrhata

@DocumentingIan that's the first picture of them smiling/laughing, isn't it?

@DocumentingIan It's a very nice and heartwarming picture...

Mr. Hata's son, T, whom he met last night for 1st time in 30 yrs, coming to his room for drinks. Expecting serious father/son talk. #mrhata

T, Mr. Hata's son, gave me permission to share his 1st name. It's "Takara", & means "treasure". It's very rare 1st name in Japan. #mrhata

Takara tells Mr Hata about his inspiration for naming his daughter, who is now 12 and Mr Hata's only grandchild.

Takara was 5 and pleaded to his dad, Mr Hata, on the phone, "please come back daddy. I'll wait 1 trillion 10 thousand years". #mrhata

@DocumentingIan Actually crying now. This pain is so real to me.

Follow @DocumentingIan if you want to witness the poignant story of Mr. Hata and Takara, a father and son reuniting after 30 years apart.

@DocumentingIan Ian please tell them that I'm very, very glad for them. Glad that they could see sakura together. Love from Indonesia

Touching, and reminiscent of how we reunited Peter & Emiko after 56 years:  http://j.mp/PeterEmiko  @DocumentingIan  https://twitter.com/DocumentingIan/status/718279796338388992 …

If you are not yet doing it, do yourself a favor, Go and read The sobering story of #mrhata on @DocumentingIan

@DocumentingIan This is a beautiful story Ian. Thank for sharing it. Very emotional & inspirational for others in similar situations.

@DaikanyamaGuy @DocumentingIan don't often comment about non-beer stories but it's an incredible experience to be reading.

@DocumentingIan i'm crying at their story. I have bad relationship with my dad and it hits me right to the feels... I'll be praying for them

Takara has now chosen the photo that will be used at the funeral of Mr Hata, the father he hasn't seen for 30 years. #mrhata

Father & son have bid each other goodnight. From his room, Takara sent me a message referring to Mr Hata as "father" for 1st time. #mrhata

there's something beautiful going on on @DocumentingIan's timeline. A father preparing to die finds the son he abandoned 30 years ago

@bmclannahan @DocumentingIan I am already weeping. We humans occasionally exhibit incredibly noble behaviours, in remotely possible

@bmclannahan @DocumentingIan situations. And, if one looks around hard enough, such cases do present themselves, apparently.

@DocumentingIan Good morning. I was thinking about what documentary is while reading this story.

@DocumentingIan Good morning. Hope you all have a nice day. Anxiously waiting for updates.

Good morning. Thank you for supportive comments- I'll share w/ Mr. Hata & Takara. I'm grateful to witness this reunion & share it w/ you.

I asked Takara to come to Mr Hata's room as he'd taken bad fall in night. Takara knelt by his bed & woke Mr. Hata by gently said "Father".

In Japan people don't often touch. That's why Mr Hata had asked me re: hugging Takara when they met. He wanted to, but didn't. #mrhata

After she checks Mr. Hata, Dr. Konta decides it's good time to have serious talk w/ him while Takara, his son, is here. #mrhata

@DocumentingIan she sounds like an amazing and caring doctor

@DocumentingIan I just can't fathom how overwhelming all of this must be for Takara -san and his family. So glad they are involved though.

@DocumentingIan this is such an amazing family story. Thank you for sharing it so sensitively. Please give them all my best wishes.

Before Takara, his wife & daughter leave, they share meal w/ Mr Hata. Wanting it to be family time, I say I've calls to make & wait in car.

Suddenly, Mr Hata tells me to buy us platform tickets. He wants to accompany Takara & family up to bullet train for proper send off. #mrhata

Mr Hata follows them through the gates & struggles to keep up w/ them as above their heads is sound of bullet train pulling in. #mrhata

On the platform Mr Hata and Takara, father and son, embrace. #mrhata

Doors closing, Takara & family wave. As train departs Mr Hata holding card granddaughter slipped into his hand says "let's go home". #mrhata

.@DocumentingIan Thank you (and Mr Hata and Tamara) for sharing this moving story with us. I'm glad it went so well & hope Mr Hata's

.@DocumentingIan remaining time is as peaceful and painless as possible.

@DocumentingIan this has me in tears =(

@DocumentingIan お疲れ様

Ian, thank you so much 4 sharing a beautiful story w/us. pls drive safe. Mr Hata. live long this isn't end just a beginning @DocumentingIan

ドキュメンタリー映画のイアン・トーマス・アッシュ監督が先週木曜から四日間、ある男性とその息子の再会に密着。男性は末期ガンを患っており３０年間音信不通だった息子に会うことを切望。ついに二人は再会を果たした。イアン監督のツイートにハラハラし通しだった @DocumentingIan

@DocumentingIan I hope Mr Hata and Takara will stay in touch and meet again. Pls give my best to Hata-san. Thank you for the touching story.

@DocumentingIan thank you for this.

@DocumentingIan i hope that their relationship will get better and that mr.hata will be happy when it's his time to go

@DocumentingIan and thank you, really thank you very much for sharing this heartwarming story with us. Also for Mr.Hata and Takara for

@DocumentingIan allowing you to share the story and thus allowed us readers to feel involved with this whole story as well.

@DocumentingIan Thank you so much for sharing such a touching and heart-warming story

@DocumentingIan Thank you for letting us take part in this. Wishing them all the best.

Here is the story of life & family by @DocumentingIan you must read. Mahalo @yurikageyama for alerting us to this  https://twitter.com/DocumentingIan/status/719396635864735745 …

末期ガンの父親と息子の30年ぶりの、そしてたぶん最後の再会を追ったドキュメンタリーツイート。会えてよかった。⇒ Mr. Hata and T, a father and son  https://storify.com/DocumentingIan/mr-hata-and-t-a-reunion-after-30 … via @DocumentingIan

@DocumentingIan Thank you for telling the story so well. It reads easily, but must not have been easy to do.

This is a poignant story, told sensitively by @DocumentingIan #bringtissues  https://twitter.com/documentingian/status/719396635864735745 …

This is something really remarkable: @DocumentingIan's Twitumentary about dying man's reunion with son he abandoned  https://twitter.com/documentingian/status/719396635864735745 …

Truly a remarkable story and inspired storytelling by @DocumentingIan  https://twitter.com/dicklp/status/719428686076715008 …

My cousin @DocumentingIan is an award-winning filmmaker in Japan. He does amazing things. This one made me cry.  https://storify.com/DocumentingIan/mr-hata-and-t-a-reunion-after-30 …

Moving account of a dying man's reunion w/ a son he hasn't seen for 30 years -- told live on Twitter @DocumentingIan  https://storify.com/DocumentingIan/mr-hata-and-t-a-reunion-after-30 …

I'm up early in bed with real tears...this is the stuff that Twitter was made for @DocumentingIan  https://storify.com/DocumentingIan/mr-hata-and-t-a-reunion-after-30 …

This is an amazing use of Twitter to tell a story: Mr. Hata and T, a father and son  https://storify.com/DocumentingIan/mr-hata-and-t-a-reunion-after-30 … via @DocumentingIan

I just cried my eyes out at this @DocumentingIan This is what social media is all about  https://storify.com/DocumentingIan/mr-hata-and-t-a-reunion-after-30 …

An amazingly moving story documenting Mr. Hata and T, a father and son reuniting after 30 years  https://storify.com/DocumentingIan/mr-hata-and-t-a-reunion-after-30 … via @DocumentingIan

[2/2] He reminds us that the only thing you need to tell a great story can be a mobile phone and Twitter. Thank you @DocumentingIan

@DocumentingIan It was gripping, but our thanks above all to Mr. Hata and his son for sharing a slice of life.  https://twitter.com/DocumentingIan/status/719505250600652800 …

@XanaxWarrPrncss @DocumentingIan also very nice to see how respectful & sensitive you were, this could have been exploitative in other hands

Wow, thanks a lot @DocumentingIan for this story. Never thought that twitter could be used in that way.  https://storify.com/public/templates/card/index.html?src=//storify.com/DocumentingIan/mr-hata-and-t-a-reunion-after-30 …

tremendously powerful documentary work by @DocumentingIan  https://storify.com/DocumentingIan/mr-hata-and-t-a-reunion-after-30 …