Murayama’s relationship with Vietnam's started in 1998, when he and his teacher attended a photo exhibition at the Museum of War Remnants in Ho Chi Minh City. After that he has returned many times.
As one of the Japanese who strongly opposed China’s infringement upon Vietnam’s sovereignty in the East Sea, Murayama was very eager to visit Hoang Sa (Paracels) Islands. To turn his desire into reality, he contacted the club of foreign journalists in Vietnam and submitted an application to the Vietnamese government.
For Murayama, writing is his extra job besides newspaper delivery, washing dishes at restaurants and gardening. His main job is working as a security guard for a university. To return to Vietnam this time to organize the “Hoang Sa Feelings” photo exhibition, he had to borrow $10,000 and lose his current job.
"After this trip, I will work hard to pay debts and to accumulate money to return to Vietnam to realize my other plans," he said.
Murayama and his wife argued with each other a lot before the trip. The wife at home worried for his safety, especially as the couple has not had any children yet. Financial issues were also a concern. "I have spent all of my income for cameras and my trips to Vietnam. My wife borrowed money for me to hold the photo exhibition," he said.
Murayama on the boat to Hoang Sa in July 2014. Photo: nvcc.
The wife could not stop Murayama from going to Vietnam. "We have been married for seven years but my love for Vietnam has gone through 16 years. My affection for Vietnam is so big that it made my wife cry out of jealousy," the freelance journalist said.
Murayama was in Vietnam during the time China deployed its illegal drilling rig in Vietnam’s waters. He spent two weeks in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City to interview many people of all classes, from officials to fishermen, students, and naval soldiers. According to him, this was a way to show his sympathy with the people of Vietnam in difficult times.
"I was lucky to capture those precious moments and I admire the solidarity and efforts to overcome difficulties," he said.
Wishing to do something meaningful while waiting for the trip to Hoang Sa, the idea of holding a photo exhibition about Vietnam occurred to him. The exhibition was scheduled to open on July 20 but Murayama was invited to participate in the journey to Hoang Sa so he canceled the exhibition.
On July 14, he joined 30 Vietnamese and foreign reporters in a trip to Hoang Sa Archipelago. The Japanese journalist believed that the photos he shot in Hoang Sa would make his exhibition more lively.
Murayama cannot swim so the most valuable item on every boat trip is a life jacket. On the ship to Hoang Sa, he had the idea of asking others to sign his life jacket. Reporters from many countries and soldier were very glad to sign the life jacket.
According to Murayama, this small act demonstrated the consensus and unity of the world towards a common goal of conveying the message from the East Sea. The life jacket with the signatures of nearly 60 soldiers, Vietnamese and foreign reporters has become his treasure.
During the voyage, the Japanese journalist captured moments of Vietnamese soldiers. The trip took place on the stormy day, when the ship was about 25 km from the disputed area. Murayama felt lucky to be on the ship to witness the Hoang Sa hotspot.
"China pulled its oil rig out of Vietnam’s waters but the incident can continue. I want to join hands with international friends to convey the message about Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa," he said, describing why he wanted to hold the photo exhibition on Hoang Sa.
Murayama signed to protest China’s illegal oil rig in the territory of Vietnam. Photo: nvcc
According to him, as a Japanese citizen and a third party, his voice is objective. "I wish the Japanese people and the world know about the wrongdoing of China".
Nearly 30 photographs in the exhibition are 30 stories about Vietnamese fishermen, naval soldiers, students and officials related to China’s illegal oil rig in Vietnam’s waters. The message that Murayama wished to send through the exhibition is the truth about Hoang Sa. "Hoang Sa is really nice and Vietnam cannot lose these beautiful waters," he said.
The Japanese photographer had contacted many places to display his photographs but failed because of the high costs. Impressed by the sincerity of the Japanese friend for Vietnam, Le Phong, a student of the HCM City Television and Broadcasting College, told his rector - Mr. Kim Ngoc Anh - about Murayama’s story.
The rector saw photos by Murayama and welcomed this idea. "Mr. Murayama Yasufumi is a Japanese citizen but he devotes his heart to Vietnam, to justice. I really respect what he has done and strongly believe that the exhibition would urge patriotism among students," Mr. Ngoc Anh said.
Dao Thuy Linh, a student of the Japanese Language Faculty of the HCM City University of Pedagogy, voluntarily helped Murayama in translation and interpretation. Linh said: "I deeply admire the work that he is doing for Vietnam".
In early August, Murayama will hold the “Hoang Sa Feelings” exhibition at the University of Osaka (Japan).
Some photos by Murayama:
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Vietnamese in Japan on a march against China.
Vietnamese fishermen through the lens of Murayama.
Fishermen's boats in Da Nang.
President Truong Tan Sang meets with fishermen.
A Vietnamese fishing boat in Vietnam’s waters.
Da Nang fishermen making nets.
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