Keiji Fujimoto has always loved to travel, never hesitating to set out in the world alone - with only his curiosity as a guide.
The wandering and exploring of his native Japan, South America and Indonesia has instilled in Fujimoto a keen appreciation for diversity. His “souvenirs” are the stories told by people he met along the way.
“Since I was very little I knew that in some ways Japan's education is very biased,” Fujimoto said, explaining: “Until 1999, we did not have a national anthem because of what Japan did in World War II. We killed so many people, Japan was ashamed and we had no anthem or flag.”
But in 1999, the country passed a law designating the ancient Japanese poem “Kimi ga Yo” as the nation's anthem. The law stirred up quite a bit of controversy, because many citizens and teachers believe it glorifies militarism and worship of the emperor as a deity, Fujimoto said.
The law also required the anthem be sung and the flag flown in Japan's government-run schools, and demanded that teachers respect the law or risk losing their jobs.
In 2006, the issue came to a head when a retired schoolteacher urged a school graduation audience to remain seated during the playing of the anthem. He was threatened with imprisonment and fined for his actions; at the time, more than 300 teachers had been punished for refusing to respect the anthem, in the eyes of Japanese law.
Fujimoto said he was frustrated by the biased media reports as the punishments unfolded and word trickled out into communities.
“I thought there must be a person who could tell what is going on - to tell the truth,” he said.
It was then he decided he could be that person, and so set out to pursue an American education in journalism.
An Internet search of American journalism schools led him to UM. He liked what he read, and particularly liked knowing the campus is surrounded by wilderness.
“My parents often brought me to the mountains in Japan,” Fujimoto said. “I like them a lot. For myself, whenever I had a problem, I often went to the mountains for clearing my mind and helping me find my way.”
Missoula looked like a good place to call home for a while, and the photojournalism program had an excellent reputation, he said.
Fujimoto arrived here three years ago, knowing only a few words of English.
A fast and dedicated learner, he picked up English as a matter of survival and became competent enough in his second language to graduate in three years with a degree in journalism.
It hasn't been easy, he said, and looking back, he can't believe he pushed through and will graduate Saturday.
“I didn't know much about English or journalism when I got here,” he said. “That I could finish the program here is amazing to me.”
Journalism professor Clem Work said Fujimoto's perseverance hasn't gone unnoticed.
Fujimoto always sat at the front of his classes, quietly taking notes and listening intently.
In the media law class Work teaches, students have the opportunity to make voluntary presentations to the class. Despite his rough English, Fujimoto took the opportunity and presented a media law case so complicated and difficult, Work joked even he doesn't fully understand the case - and he has degrees in journalism and law.
“I admired his guts in getting up and giving his presentation,” Work said. “Students whose native language is English hesitate to do that.
“He was able to make a PowerPoint presentation - and I admired that - for his courage in doing that.”
Work said he also respects Fujimoto's ability to carve out a unique niche in the School of Journalism.
Tall, with long black hair and never without his “man purse” - a battered 1950s-era binocular case used to hold his keys, iPod and cell phone - Fujimoto physically stood out from the crowd.
“He's always very friendly,” Work said, and remarked Fujimoto carries himself in a way that doesn't let a language barrier defeat him or get in the way of communicating.
As for his photography skills, photojournalism professor Keith Graham said he fully expects Fujimoto will have a stellar career.
“He's talented,” Graham said. “He has a real sensibility about people and he has a wonderful eye.
“People hold a real sense of dignity for him, and in most of his work he is not emotionally or physically distant with his subjects, and for me, that indicates he easily establishes a rapport and connects with people.”
Fujimoto said his American experience in Missoula has been inspiring on many levels.
“I have learned there are so many different perspectives in the United States,” he said. “There are so many different kinds of people here - so many Americas inside of America.”
On a personal level, he's gained the confidence and skills to pursue international work.
“At UM, I learned mostly that life can be whatever you want it to be, that I do what I choose,” he said. “I know if I try something, I can do it if I follow my desire.”
With his newfound perspective, Fujimoto said he'd like to travel to New York with the ultimate goal of finding a photojournalism job.
He said he wants to eventually return to Japan to put his American journalism education to work, but the current climate in his country is disheartening.
“If I can stay outside of Japan in terms of getting more experience, that is what I want to do,” he said. “Japan,” in terms of government control of the media, he said, “is getting worse.”
The realities back home make his UM lessons all the more intense and give them a burdensome clarity.
“I learned here about what it is to be free in terms of journalism,” Fujimoto said. “Freedom is responsibility.”
Reporter Betsy Cohen can be reached at 523-5253 or at bcohen@missoulian.com.
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