Wednesday 29 June 2022 01:45 AM Japan's 'naked hermit' who spent 29 years alone on a tropical island returns ... trends now

Wednesday 29 June 2022 01:45 AM Japan's 'naked hermit' who spent 29 years alone on a tropical island returns ... trends now
Wednesday 29 June 2022 01:45 AM Japan's 'naked hermit' who spent 29 years alone on a tropical island returns ... trends now

Wednesday 29 June 2022 01:45 AM Japan's 'naked hermit' who spent 29 years alone on a tropical island returns ... trends now

Japanese castaway Masafumi Nagasaki, 87, who spent 29 years on a deserted island before being forced to leave by Japan's government, returned to his paradise home on June 16 for a final goodbye.

Japan's 'naked island hermit' was the only inhabitant of the Sotobanari island for almost three decades, which is only a kilometre wide and located in the Okinawa archipelago, near Taiwan.

The 87-year-old is said to have been a photographer before fleeing civilization to live on the island, saying he wanted to live the rest of his life alone. 

His story was revealed to the world when a local fisherman discovered him lying on the beach almost unconscious in 2018.

When authorities observed him, they reported that he looked weak and frail, with the Japanese government forcing him to return to civilization. 

On June 16, after four years of living in the city of Ishigaki, he decide to go back home.

But the group responsible for returning him said his stay can only be temporary, as he can no longer look after himself.

After four long years back in civilization he wasn’t easily able to make friends due to his long period of isolation

He is shown throwing his hands up into the air once he returned to shore

After four long years back in civilization he wasn’t easily able to make friends due to his long period of isolation. He is shown throwing his hands up into the air once he returned to shore 

The voluntary castaway is shown after rediscovering his belongings when he returned to the island. His story was revealed to the world when a local fisherman discovered him lying on the beach almost unconscious

The voluntary castaway is shown after rediscovering his belongings when he returned to the island. His story was revealed to the world when a local fisherman discovered him lying on the beach almost unconscious

The island hermit had already been discovered by Spanish explorer Alvaro Cerezo, who documents island castaways but decided to keep Nagasaki's life a secret to protect his privacy.

From 2018, Nagasaki struggled in Ishigaki trying to adapt to modern society.

After four long years back in civilization he wasn’t easily able to make friends due to his long period of isolation. 

'In a quintessential society like that of the Japanese, there was hardly anyone who could either understand his eccentric way of life or his extreme desire to live naked on a desert island,' said Cerezo.

'As a result, most people in his neighborhood looked at him with contempt and a little bit of fear.'

He has also spent a great deal of time isolated due to Covid-19, spending time in a small room instead of the island where he spent the last 29 years.

Had he been living there instead of being forced back into a city during the time of the pandemic, he would not have been at risk of the disease.

He had been moved 60km away to Ishigaki and was not allowed to return to Sotobanari

He had been moved 60km away to Ishigaki and was not allowed to return to Sotobanari

After four long years back in civilization he wasn’t easily been able to make friends due to his long period of isolation

After four long years back in civilization he wasn’t easily been able to make friends due to his long period of isolation

During those four years in civilization, Nagasaki spent most of his days confined in his room, hiding away from the noisy world. 

'His tiny room became like his desert island where he could isolate himself, as it was the only place where he was able to live with clothes off and feel free like he did for the last 29 years,' added Cerezo.

Appalled by the dirt and pollution in the city, he spent his time clearing up rubbish from the streets in order to clean up his environment.

He could not figure out how to use electronic devices like mobile phones — having left the world behind before they were invented — but Cerezo's company would get calls at odd hours from Nagasaki, calling from the only phone booth left in the city.

He would tell them how much he missed his 'beautiful old life' on the island, which was 'now part of only his distant memories.'

After four years of trying to adapt to modern life, he decided to return to his island — with the help of Cerezo, the Spanish explorer who discovered him.

As soon as Cerezo's company, Docastaway, told Nagasaki that he would be able to return, he broke down in tears.

'Convincing the Authorities was not difficult. They didn’t mind as long as Nagasaki’s health was okay,' said Cerezo. 'Of course, we didn't mention anything of his desire of staying forever on the island until his death. We just asked them if he could stay there for a while.'

As soon as Cerezo's company, Docastaway, told Nagasaki that he would be able to return, he broke down in tears

As soon as Cerezo's company, Docastaway, told Nagasaki that he would be able to return, he broke down in tears

The real-life 'Robinson Crusoe' has now returned to the way of living he has grown accustomed to, once again shunning society

The real-life 'Robinson Crusoe' has now returned to the way of living he has grown accustomed to, once again shunning society

The real-life 'Robinson Crusoe' has now returned to the way of living he has grown accustomed to, once again shunning society.

He threw his hands up into the air once he returned to shore. 

'I will protect this island as long as I am alive,' he had told them. 'Whatever it takes.'

He was quick to observe the changes the island had suffered in the years he wasn’t present. He had spent close to three decades there, and knew every rock and twig.

In his previous time there, Nagasaki would travel to a nearby island using money sent from his family to get water and his staple food of rice cakes, which he would boil four or five times a day.

He told his family his choice to die on the island long

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