Hello.
This is a picture of me when I was young.
From an early age I have loved going on adventures,
and I would often go looking for new paths on my tricycle
with my friend.
I would look under bricks for bugs and then take them home
often making my mother angry.
Occasionally, I would be overly-bold and return home in tears.
This is how I spent my early years.
Although I grew up physically during my school days,
my love for adventure never changed.
Throughout my 12 years at elementary, junior, and senior high schools
my best friend was always by my side sharing in the adventures.
This was the kind of conversation we used to have.
I would say in a Kansai dialect "Shall we go somewhere?"
to which he would reply, "Sounds great!
Let's do this and that, go along here and there,
buy candy at that shop and then do this and that."
Then I would say "Good plan!"
Please notice that I only said two things,
one at the beginning and one at the end.
(Laughter)
All I said was, "Shall we go?" and "Good plan!"
My friend decided the rest for us.
This was how we continued our adventures for the next 12 years.
We were separated after entering different universities
and I thought to myself, "What shall I do? I have to go on solo adventures."
But then I found a new friend.
(Laughter)
I would say to my new friend,
"Shall we go somewhere?"
He would say, "Sounds great!
Let's go this and that,
eat at this and that place, stay here and there,
and then do this and that."
Then I would say "Good plan!"
Did you notice the difference?
My accent changed from the local to the standard.
(Laughter)
That's the only thing that's changed.
I hadn't changed at all.
I only said the first and last words in the conversation.
My new friend decided the rest.
So my adventures continued into my university days.
One day I said to my friend, "Shall we ride the whole length of Japan?"
But he replied in a shocked voice saying, "Ohhhhh!"
The length of Japan sounds pretty far, so his reaction was to be expected.
I always thought that if we talked about an adventure we would go.
I was really excited.
Then my friend responded, "So I won't go."
"What?" I thought to myself.
I believed that if I said the first and last words
then an adventure would follow.
"What the heck?" I thought
but then I guess the length of Japan really is a long way, even for my friend.
However, I was so excited and really wanted to go
so I would have to undertake the adventure alone or not at all.
At that time, traveling across Japan seemed like a large wall in front of me.
I wondered what I should do so I sought advice
from my university senior.
Then he said, "Noguchi, you always go on adventures together
but going alone will be a great chance to break out of your shell."
Even though I agreed with what he said,
I had always left it up to my friends.
I didn't believe I could do it by myself.
Despite my feelings of excitement I gave up on the idea of going
until I recalled my father's words.
He would often say to me,
"Masayuki, if you live your life, somehow things will work out!"
He would often say vague words like this.
"Somehow things will be OK."
Those words have got me through a few times in my life.
They suddenly came to my mind at that time.
So I thought that whatever happens things will work out.
And believing this I made my decision to go alone.
Then I set off on my journey along the length of whole Japan.
It was my first time traveling alone, my first solo adventure.
This is what I looked like.
(Laughter)
Being somewhat reckless I set off on my scooter in winter.
(Laughter)
On my first day, without being able to read a map,
I set off on my scooter in winter.
Not being able to use read the map,
I rode 300 km from Kanoya City to Beppu City in Oita Prefecture.
Not using the map, I asked people for directions and somehow I got there.
When I arrived, I looked for somewhere to stay but couldn't.
So I made the impulsive decision to pitch my tent and sleep in a park.
I fell asleep fearful, but on the second day, when I woke up,
I thought to myself that I am surprisingly still alive.
Somehow it worked out OK.
At that time the large wall disappeared
and a realistic wall appeared in front of me.
I felt like I had reached the top of the wall with my hand
and after that things would go without a hitch.
I started to understand the map, I could buy tickets and find places to stay.
I achieved my traveling across Japan.
I overcame the wall.
As I turned round to look back at the wall,
it was not the large wall I had imagined but a small wall.
By overcoming obstacles in this way, I was prepared to take on challenges.
Next I went alone to Canada to study.
Studying abroad in Canada was the largest wall for me.
Furthermore, it was at exactly the same time as my university's exams.
Normally students would give priority to their tests and delay going abroad.
However, I once again believed that somehow it would work out.
I directly appealed to all professors for supplementary exams
and somehow, all of them agreed to my request.
So I was also able to achieve my goal of studying in Canada.
Once more, the wall which once seemed so large disappeared.
This time I felt like I jumped over it.
(Laughter)
Looking back again at the wall, it was actually very small.
This prepared me for my next challenge.
In fact my next challenge is now.
I am standing here on the TEDxKagoshima stage.
I am a big fan of TED and often watch its videos.
Many people share their great ideas.
I have always wanted to stand on this stage,
it feels like a dream to be here.
I had another large wall in front of me,
but I am somehow taking on the mental challenge this time too.
I am somehow getting through it now, right?
(Laughter)
(Applause)
Thank you!
I just reached the top of the wall.
I still haven't completed so I can't look back yet,
but my hands are on the top now,
and I think I'll be able to climb over it.
After I am over the top and I look back, I'm sure it won't look so big
and again I'll probably think it was actually quite small.
Do you have a large wall in your mind, too?
For example, telling someone you love them or starting a new job.
I can tell you that it is only a wall in your mind.
It is only your mind which makes the wall large.
If it's only in your mind, believe that you can work it out.
If you think in this way, your first step will always be made.
With your first step made, you can reach the top of the wall,
and after that it's easy.
When you look back at the wall you have just climbed you will see
it was smaller than you thought.
Overcoming obstacles can make the next challenge easier.
Please try to overcome your obstacles and expand your horizons.
I will make these words, "Somehow it will work out"
my family motto, but I still don't have a wife or children.
I would show my appreciation to my father for giving me the words today
which is the mother's day in Japan.
Thank you.