New Delhi: For over a decade, Yasuo Takamatsu has been on an unyielding mission to find his wife, Yuko, who was lost in the catastrophic 2011 tsunami. The tragedy, which is one of the deadliest in history, claimed nearly 20,000 lives, with thousands still missing, including Yuko, who worked at a nearby bank and was swept away by the massive waves.Relentless pursuit of closureDriven by the desire to perform proper last rites for his beloved wife, Takamatsu has spent years diving in the murky, treacherous waters of Fukushima, searching tirelessly for her remains. His quest began with the help of volunteer Masayoshi Takahashi, who taught Takamatsu how to dive. Takamatsu chose Takahashi because of his experience in underwater clean-up efforts after the tsunami, believing he could assist in the search for Yuko.Despite facing numerous obstacles, including freezing temperatures and poor visibility, Takamatsu remains undeterred in his search. The determination to find Yuko and give her a proper farewell keeps him going, even in the face of overwhelming odds.Final messages and unwavering hopeYukos last communication with her husband was heartbreaking. She left two messages on her phone: one, unsent, described the severity of the disaster, simply stating, The tsunami is disastrous. The other, her final message, read, Are you okay I want to go home. These words continue to resonate deeply with Takamatsu as he dives into the sea, where he feels closest to her.In an interview with the New York Times, Takamatsu expressed the emotional toll of his search: I anticipated it would be difficult, and it has been, but its the only thing I can do. He added, I have no choice but to keep searching for her. I feel closest to her when Im at sea.
