Masafumi Nagasaki returned to his desert island

Jun 16, 2022 · Castaways

 

Masafumi Nagasaki is one of our favorite voluntary castaways. A Japanese who lived alone on the Okinawan, a desert island, for 29 years.

In April 2018 his story became popular worldwide when, a local fishermen discovered him lying on the beach almost unconscious, following which the Japanese Government forced him to abandon the place despite his only wish being dying on this desert island.

Masafumi Nagasaki painting in a wallBack in 2014 I was lucky to spend 5 days alone with this unique Robinson and capture some of the best moments on camera, but I never got to releasing them. For many years I kept those images safe, to protect his privacy and him on the island.

But in 2018, when we learnt that he was made to abandon the island, we decided to publish those old footage and pay tribute to his fantastic life through an interview, which turned out be a rather emotional one. It garnered the attention of millions of viewers and hundreds of news articles were published in the media.

 

HIS NEW LIFE IN CIVILIZED WORLD

Since 2018 after being made to leave his desert island, Masafumi Nagasaki had struggled in the city trying to adapt to modern society. The Japanese Government provided him with a little bedroom and very little money to cover his basic needs.

Masafumi Nagasaki walking on the streetBut unfortunately, even after 4 long years back in civilization, he still wasn’t able to make any progress or make any friends. Nagasaki had quite a ‘complicated’ personality, and always spoke with no filter. In a quintessential society like that of the Japanese, there was hardly anyone who could either understand his eccentric way of life or his extreme desire to live naked on a desert island. As a result, most people in his neighborhood looked at him with contempt and a little bit of fear.

Masafumi Nagasaki with tears in his eyes

On the top of that, in the past 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic he had to live in human civilization surrounded by people. This could have been avoided had he remained in the desert island.

 

 

 

During those 4 years in civilization, Nagasaki spent most of his days confined in his room hiding away from the noisy world. His tiny room became like his desert island where he could isolate himself as it was the only place where he was able to live with his clothes off and feel free like he did for the last 29 years.

Masafumi Nagasaki looking at the manera in a tiny room

When he felt too trapped in his room every now and then he used to go out and collect rubbish from the street as he was horrified by the pollution and all the waste that humans had created.

Masafumi Nagasaki making a call in a phone boothNagasaki couldn’t work his way around modern electronics as he had abandoned civilization in the 90s before mobile phones came out. However, in his moments of despair, Nagasaki called Tamiki -our Japanese operation manager- from the only old phone booth that there was still left in the city.

He used to tell us bitterly how difficult his life was surrounded by people and how much he missed his life on the island. His beautiful old life which was now part of only his distant memories.

Alvaro Cerezo and Tamiki Kato from Docastaway working in front of laptopsBecause of all these reasons Tamiki and me finally decided to do something. We managed to discuss with the Authorities and with local people in Iriomote to find the possibilities of return.

As soon as we told Nagasaki the plan, he jumped with joy and broke down in tears of gratitude. His face lit up like an excited little kid when he learnt he was getting to go back.

Masafumi Nagasaki and Alvaro Cerezo from Docastaway talking in front of a calendar

He had insistently mentioned before during his interview that his only desire was to die in Sotobarani Island.

Masafumi Nagasaki and Alvaro Cerezo from Docastaway talking in front of a calendar

 

Masafumi Nagasaki explaining things to Alvaro Cerezo from Docastaway

Convincing the Authorities was not difficult. They didn’t mind as long as Nagasaki’s health was okay. Of course, we didn’t mention about his desire of staying forever on the island until his death. We just asked them if he could stay there for a while.

After confirming with some locals too in Iriomote we prepared the equipment and got all the logistics done.

 

 

JOURNEY TO THE ISLAND

The trip in the ferry to Iriomote was exciting for all of us but especially for Nagasaki. During the ride he often looked up, smiling at the sky and thanked life with folded hands.

Alvaro Cerezo from Docastaway walking next to Masafumi Nagasaki in a street

 

Once we reached Iriomote, we saw that some local people looked at Nagasaki with skepticism as they knew him well. We were not really sure if locals were happy with the fact of Nagasaki being back in the island.

Masafumi Nagasaki holding Docastaway worker shoulder and crying

 

 

As we were approaching Sotobarani on our speedboat, Nagasaki gazed at his beloved island joyously from the distance. He was quick to observe the changes the island had suffered in the years he wasn’t there. After all, Nagasaki had spent 3 decades living on that island and he knew every single detail about it.

Japanese hermit looking at Sotobarani desert island from a boat

 

 

AGAIN, ON THE ISLAND AFTER 4 YEARS IN CIVILIZATION

As we landed on the shore, Nagasaki started walking around excitedly and often raising his arms in joy. After some cheering and celebration, we went straight into the jungle looking for his old camp where he used to live.

Alvaro Cerezo from Docastaway helping Nagasaki step out the boat

Back in 2018, when he was ‘rescued’ from the beach, almost unconscious, Nagasaki had to leave all his belongings behind. Neither he nor the Government ever returned to the island to collect them.

Apparently, Nagasaki was never really attached to material things, so the items he owned on the island didn’t hold any real value to him. But he was overcome by curiosity to get a glimpse of the life he had, from the vague memory of his final days on the island before he had to leave against his will.

Japanese castaway at Sotobarani Island raising his arms looking at the oceanHowever, finding the pathway to his previous campsite was not an easy task. Lack of human presence on the island for four years had completely transformed the area and covered it with wilderness.

After searching for a while and cutting through the jungle we finally found it; some old boxes and kitchen material. Two of his three tents were still up but flooded with water on the inside. All rusted but untouched. It seemed no one has entered inside the island since Nagasaki left.

He sat down inside one tent, started to open the boxes, and showed us few of his belongings such scarves to cover his head, fishing material, bottles… He even had 2 photos from his youth. We also helped him recover things from other boxes; in one of them we found a couple of flashlights.

Alvaro Cerezo from Docastaway and Nagasaki searching for his stuff inside the old tentsAfter some discussion Nagasaki decided to settle down in the same place. Tamiki and I began to set up his tent while he continued giving us instructions. After the camp site was ready, he quickly went straight back to the beach, and we followed him.

As he reached the shore, without giving any prior warning, he started to take his clothes off, quite slowly. Tamiki and I realized that he was not as strong as he used to be in the past. Although Nagasaki was 79 when I first met him in 2014, at that time he was very agile, energetic, and capable of surviving on a desert island. Now he is almost 87 and the last four years of which he spent in a tiny room.

Masafumi Nagasaki on the left and Andy Dufresne on the right, both raising his arms in joy

Completely naked, Nagasaki raised his arms again, and offered prayers looking up at the sky. It was such a special moment to see him walk freely unclothed and laugh with joy. It made me think of the famous ending of ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ movie, when the character Andy Dufresne having escaped from prison, celebrated it with open arms under the rain. That moment of Nagasaki on the beach was a pure expression of freedom that we will never forget.

Masafumi Nagasaki in the sea water with his arms open wide

The rest of the evening was very memorable too. Nagasaki jumped into the water, laughing, looking to the sky, giving thanks to life. His happiness was so contagious that Tamiki and I couldn’t be more pleased.

As evening was approaching it was time to prepare dinner. Our plan was to leave the island on the next day and leave Nagasaki alone to restart his new life. After a nice talk around a fireplace we all went to sleep.

But in the next morning Nagasaki was feeling very tired. I thought it was probably because of the amount of overwhelming emotions he felt day before.

As the day went on, it seemed that Nagasaki didn’t feel confident enough to continue the same life he used to have for 29 years. Every time we discussed with him about his future plans on the island, he became serious, insecure, and concerned about his strength to survive again in such a place.

The naked Japanese Robinson happy looking at the seaIt became clear that Nagasaki was not so ‘youthful’ anymore. Especially during the last 4 years that he had been locked in the city, he had lost all the instincts & strength that he had before.

It was a heartbreaking feeling for all of us. His desire was to stay, there was no doubt about it. But his body couldn’t respond. At moments he seemed to have a bit of ‘lack of balance’ while doing things. Tamiki and I decided to test his skills before we left him alone on the island to understand if he could survive at all & asked him to make lunch for us. It took him almost 4 hours to prepare some rice and eggs.

With that capacity it was not going to be easy for him to survive for long. On a desert island like Sotobarani there are plenty of tasks to be done every day, especially for someone who’s a perfectionist like Nagasaki.

Alvaro Cerezo and Tamiki Kato from Docastaway on the beach with Masafumi NagasakiAfter lunch, Nagasaki asked Tamiki and me to stay on the island a bit longer & take care of him; then he would return to civilization with us. And that’s what we finally did. Tamiki and I extended our stay in Okinawa in order to help Nagasaki enjoy a few more days on his beloved island. However, it was so sad seeing that he was not going to achieve what he had envisioned for himself. He was after all not going to be able to return to nature as he had wished.

The day that we all left the island, Tamiki and I were glad to see that Nagasaki didn’t want to take any of his old belonging back to civilization. This was again a clear proof of his lack of attachment to material things and thus not wanting to keep anything with him after all.

Masafumi Nagasaki with folded hands looking toe sky

Luckily Nagasaki was not sad to leave. It seemed he was satisfied to have had the opportunity to bid ‘Farewell’ to his island.

Perhaps in a few years from now, if he still desires to spend his last days at Sotobarani Island, and feels his time is right and he is ready to depart this world, we will be there to help him undoubtedly.

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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }

k June 21, 2022 at 7:12 am

thank you so much for helping him.
i was inspired by him to escape society as he did.
it maddened me to hear he was forced off the island.
it saddens me to hear that he didn`t have the strength to return.
his whole story brings tears to my eyes.
i wish i could have been there with you to experience it all.
i wonder if i could do something to help him as i am living in ishigaki?

Reply

Alvaro Cerezo July 13, 2022 at 12:39 am

Oh really? He is still living there. You can just give him some company as he feels very lonely. If you need his address please let me know

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Faida June 26, 2022 at 7:57 pm

If he can’t leave there anymore, hope he can visit his old home from time to time. He deserve it.
Look at his hapiness when he is there!
Just make him happy

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Alvaro Cerezo July 13, 2022 at 12:39 am

We will try to bring him back at least once a year 🙂

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Justine June 27, 2022 at 3:23 pm

Thank you for sharing this. Please keep on updating us on how Nagasaki is doing. We hope to see him in the island again soon.

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Alvaro Cerezo July 13, 2022 at 12:40 am

Sure we will 🙂

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Anna Childress June 28, 2022 at 1:24 am

Thank you for this wonderful story. It is so sad that he suffered living in a tiny box for the covid years. If only he was allowed to stay out in nature and live in the nature he might have not gotten so weak. Thank you for sharing your story and for giving him the time to see his island that time. The smile and joy comes from him is so beautiful. I hope one day he will get to return to his island before he steps into the other world.

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Alvaro Cerezo July 13, 2022 at 12:41 am

Im sure he will return at least once more 🙂 We will try our best

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Russ McClay July 3, 2022 at 10:19 am

Great story especially since I have lived in northern Taiwan perhaps only a couple of hour boat ride to Nagasaki’s island. You gave that man a blessing and a chance to really let go. Thank you for that.

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Alvaro Cerezo July 13, 2022 at 12:42 am

Thanks for your words. You could visit Nagasaki but you would need to go first to Japan as Im afraid there is not direct transportation from Taiwan to Iriomote

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Philip July 5, 2022 at 11:16 pm

Jealous of Nagasaki’s commitment and sad for his losses. Great article!

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Alvaro Cerezo July 13, 2022 at 12:42 am

Thanks! 🙂

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Seth July 10, 2022 at 2:27 pm

How beautiful. I was really happy to see then news that Nagasaki was able to return to his island again after his forced stay in civilization. Too bad he didn’t have the strength to remain there for good, but as long as he is happy all is well I guess 🙂

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Alvaro Cerezo July 13, 2022 at 12:44 am

He is ok. Not happy but not sad. He is already 87 and feeling too weak so his priority now is to be safe and comfortable. Priorities have changed

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Marcos Nakamine July 12, 2022 at 1:26 am

Incredible!

Sometimes the noises are so loud that they drown out our inner voice and we forget to hear ourselves.

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Alvaro Cerezo July 13, 2022 at 12:44 am

🙂 🙂 🙂

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Sandy July 12, 2022 at 2:27 pm

The 4 years in civilisation aged him more than the 29 years he spent on the island. It was a beautiful thing to do to bring him back to his island one last time. Wishing him all the best.

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Alvaro Cerezo July 13, 2022 at 12:45 am

It was definitely not good at that age to lose contact with nature and survival. Thanks for your beautiful words 🙂

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