A Chinese tourist stranded in Japan, having been assisted by a local man who invited him to stay the night, sent 300 masks during the Covid-19 pandemic as a gesture of gratitude.
Recently, the Japanese variety show The World’s Astonishing News! highlighted a 2016 story of friendship between China and Japan, sparking discussions among netizens in both countries.
Shaojin, a Japanese anime enthusiast from Yinchuan city in northwestern China, travelled alone to Takayama, a city in central Japan, on the final day of 2016.
Unfortunately, he forgot to book a hotel during the busy season. With no rooms available, he wandered the streets at night, dragging his suitcase through the cold.
A local man, Yoshizawa Hirasawa, noticed Shaojin, a foreign tourist in distress.
He approached him and spoke in English, offering assistance and inviting him to spend the night at his home.
The two quickly connected over a brief conversation and discovered they shared kind and thoughtful personalities.
The next day, they parted ways but encountered each other again, snapping photos before losing contact.
In early 2020, the pandemic led to a severe mask shortage in Japan, with many scalpers hoarding masks and selling them at inflated prices.
Hirasawa received a call from a nearby shrine to pick up a package from China’s Yinchuan, which contained 300 masks, a letter, and a photo of himself.
He recognised the picture as one taken years earlier by the Chinese tourist he had helped.
In the letter, Shaojin expressed his gratitude for Hirasawa’s kindness, explaining that he sent the masks as a thank-you gift.
Unable to find Hirasawa’s address, Shaojin sent the package along with Hirasawa’s photo to a shrine he had mentioned.
In an interview, Hirasawa stated: “I was truly shocked by this. I am very grateful to Shaojin.”
He donated half of the masks to the shrine and shared the remainder with his family and friends.
As of 2025, the pair are still in touch online.
A month ago, comments from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan ignited diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Tokyo.
Amid this backdrop, their heartwarming story quickly went viral on social media in both countries.
One Japanese viewer commented: “Thank you, Hirasawa and Shaojin. Your friendship may not change the world, but it is enough to warm this cold winter.”
Meanwhile, a Chinese online user remarked: “Kindness between ordinary people transcends language and borders. Politics may separate us, but it should never diminish our faith in the goodness of humanity.”
“This is the kind of story we should be seeing and sharing today. It is not about creating division or spreading negativity; rather, it’s a reminder that love still exists in the world,” said another Chinese netizen.
