A Father’s Message to His Daughter from Afar

“In Japan, it’s estimated that each year, over 10,000 children lose the chance to see one of their parents because parental child abduction is legal. Here, we share a heartfelt letter written in 2023 from a father to his daughter, expressing his love and resilience in the face of this painful reality.”

To My Darest Daughter,

Happy 11th birthday. I really wish I could be with you every day to watch you grow and share in your joy, but I am so sad that I can’t. I am so sorry that I can’t be with you every day to watch you grow up and share in your joy. I feel so much pain that I can’t celebrate your birthday in person.

I would like to cook again your favorite dishes like miso soup, meat and potatoes, and many other dishes. When you are in trouble, when your homework is not going well, I always want to help you. I want to talk with you about your friends, your study problems, and solve them together. What is that? What does this mean? I want to answer your questions, tell you fun stories with you.

Daddy is working hard every day, believing in the day he will meet you. Saya, I hope you will look for me when you get a little older.

How happy your mom and dad must have been when you were born. That joy still shines brightly in our hearts without fading. When you were a baby, I bathed you, changed your diaper, fed you milk, and held you in my arms, my body was tired, but my heart was filled with happiness. Whenever you cried at night, Daddy would hold you in his arms, no matter how sleepy I was, and we would spend the night together looking at the moon. When you remembered that and told me, “Daddy used to hold me and look at the moon,” I was so happy.

Remember how you were always begging for a hug on the way home from daycare? Even though my arms hurt, I never put you down, but rather thought, “Now I can train my muscles!” Even thought, “Thank you, my arms got a big bump without having to go to the gym!”. Every day we spent playing together at the park and every time I saw your smiling face, I felt truly happy.

It was really hard for your Dad to be separated from you before you turned 11 years old. But I believe that the love I poured into you is firmly rooted in your heart. And the kindness of your concern for me still reache my heart every day.

My heart aches when I think of your feelings of being suddenly separated from your favorite friends. I hope that you are finding wonderful friends and having a good time in your new environment. I worry that the pressure of studying may be crushing you, but I am sure that you will be able to overcome your difficulties by making the most of your individuality. Your writing fills me with surprise and pride. Your writing is better than mine and I am impressed by your talent. Do you remember how your father used to read to you a lot when you were little? You laughed and denied it when I told you, “I love books because of you, Daddy.” I guess you must have been born with a love of reading.

I have so many memories of you that I can’t even begin to count. Those memories continue to shine brightly in my heart. And I believe that one day I will be able to make new memories with you again. Until that day comes, I will continue to make every effort to see you again. Please wait for me. And I hope you will look for your daddy once in a while.

With Love, Dad

Note :
In Japan, when separated parent disclose his or her children’s privacy, they are often sued by the court or used as an excuse to restrict visitation with their children. Therefore, the names of the child and the father are withheld.