The Light - An Alumni Publication Fall 2015 | Page 22

FACES OF YFU

James Bruce in a classroom in Japan, 1979.

ENDLESS LOVE

Japan, Nihon, or Nippon… no matter how it is
pronounced, it’s still Japan. In 1981, two American
iconic music legends, Lionel Richie and Diana Ross,
recorded the hit song tilted: “Endless Love.” This
song is my sentiment to Japan — even 36 years
later. Call it fate or fortune… I call my summer
of 1979 in Japan phenomenal! My YFU experience
in Japan made a lasting impression on me.
YFU was the vehicle that seemed to be created
and directed toward me. I was that youth who
wanted to understand. I went to Japan with an open
heart, open mind, and a willing spirit. My young,
impressionable life would never be the same.
I simply love Japan. I love the humble spirit of the
Japanese people. I love the food. I love the arts. I love
the music. I love the language. I love the Japanese
value system. I love Japanese work ethics. I love
the meaningful and traditional ceremonies, I love
the organization, and more importantly, I love
what seems to be at the core of the Japanese
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people — honor. In fact, my love for Japan did
not end after that summer… subsequent trips
had me back in Japan in 1983, 1995 and 2014.
My love for Japan allowed me to accept the fact that I
would stand out from the crowd. In many instances, I
felt like a novelty or something so rare because most
people who saw me reacted with a stare, smile, a
shy laugh, or a puzzled look. Of note was my 5’ 7’’
stature, my brown copper-toned complexion, and
my 8-inch long bushy but manageable afro (known
then as a “J-5”, due to the Jackson 5). Regardless
of the reaction, I always responded with a smile.
While I recognized I stood out in the crowd, I also realized
that much of what I witnessed in Japan was far different
than what I was used to seeing in the United States.
Some of the obvious differences were the narrow streets
and the compactness of the homes. In lieu of wood or
metal-framed beds with fancy headboards, there were
tatami mats on the floor. Comfortable padded quilts and
blankets would be removed from closets with sliding