Who’s Who Special Edition: Ban Hideyuki, A Message of Condolence

By Mycle Schneider

This message was originally written for the close circle of Ban-san’s family and friends for the day of the funeral. We publish it here with Mycle Schneider’s permission.

Mycle Schneider is an independent energy and nuclear policy analyst based in Paris. In 1997, he received the Right Livelihood Award together with CNIC’s founder Jinzaburo Takagi.

Dear Yoko-san, dear family members, dear friends,

When I first heard about Ban-san’s condition, I thought, it is hard to believe, but I won’t see him again. His passing fills me with great sadness.

                                                                          Mr. Mycle Schneider and Mr. Ban Hideyuki

Ban-san will be dearly missed, not only in Japan. Until his last days, he spoke, wrote, and acted on the basis of profound convictions and a deep sense of responsibility. He was always calm and respectful in controversy, kind, reliable, and generous in friendship.

My late friend Jinzaburo Takagi invited me to Japan for the first time in 1991 and I have been to Japan over 30 times since, yet I still don’t speak a word of Japanese. Ban-san did not speak a word of English when I met him first, but—contrary to me, he made the effort to learn—by-and-by we could deepen our communication without bothering friends for translation.

We also had a lot of fun together. For many years, we had our – often hilarious – “Annual Party”, with Momo-chan, Yurika, Manami, Mashimo, Aileen, and later also you, Yoko. With Momo-chan and now Ban-san gone, there will be a large void at the table in the future.

I’m so sorry that I cannot be with you to honor Ban-san on his last trip. But hopefully we will all meet again soon and raise our glasses to memory of those gone.

With warmest regards,

Mycle (currently in Canada)

06/13/2024