They were best friends, then pen pals - until one day, the letters stopped coming | Finding Fukue
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- čas přidán 13. 11. 2018
- Almost 30 years after receiving the last letter from her pen-pal, Jessica Stuart returns to Japan to try and solve the mystery of her long-lost friend, Fukue. #CBCShortDocs
Produced in Association with Real Stories.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
It’s a mystery that spans decades, continents and cultures, and bridges one Toronto woman’s life with her childhood in Japan: what happened to Fukue?
In 1988, Jessica Stuart was nine years old. Her family embarked on a cultural odyssey that would greatly influence her life: the Stuarts dug up their middle-class roots in Vancouver’s Jewish community and replanted them in a rural Japanese town called Saku for a year.
It was during this absorbing year that Jessica met Fukue, a bright and bubbly girl with rosy red cheeks and an endless smile. Fukue and Jessica became like sisters, spending their days frolicking in the autumn leaves, dancing under snow-blanketed trees, watching hot air balloons illuminate the skyline in spring and sneaking through rice paddies in early summer.
Strangely, Fukue never invited Jessica to visit her family home. One day after school, Jessica insisted. Fukue reluctantly brought Jessica to her house; it was a derelict shack on the outskirts of town. Shocked and disturbed, Jessica started to make sense of the name-calling and bullying that Fukue suffered at school.
As the Stuarts’ year in Japan came to an end, Jessica and Fukue assured one another they would keep in touch. They became pen pals, writing letters back and forth for two years, until the letters from Fukue stopped - with no explanation.
Now a musician in her 30s, Jessica has never forgotten Fukue. Her memories of their time together are beautiful, but haunting. And so her thoughts turn to the unknown. Where is Fukue now? Does she remember Jessica? Why did her letters stop all those years ago?
Now, nearly 30 years after she left Japan, Jessica is going back to find the answers to these questions. She’s going to find Fukue.
***
A special thanks to The Stuart Family, Norie-Ichikawa Doyle and Saku City Junior High School.
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Must Watch: A Q&A featuring the filmmakers of Finding Fukue and Jessica Stuart: czcams.com/video/B4AeKpMoEdI/video.html
thank you
Your soul beautiful to even remember a friend and reached out to find her ,you found her married with addition lil friends Thank you for sharing this should encourage others to do the same thou every ending might not be the same I absolutely love this❤❤❤❤❤👑
This video popped up a day after I had a dream about a high school/middle school friend that passed away
I’m rglad was your day
CBC Docs thank you for sharing the story of the true friendship between Jessica and Fukue! I’m from Japan, and while waiting this video, I cried so much with joy! Good job, Jessica for finding her! She is so lucky to have you as a best friend! I had a pen pal from Connecticut when I was in high school... I wish I could find Rhonda!
Use me as an “I’m crying right now” button
Activate "im crying right now button" edit: thanks for all your likes guys 😁
@@BeetleBugGD god damn onion cutting ninjas again
😆
@@chandisraygor3299
Lol!!
Your allowed to cry..
It's a wonderful real life story...your just showing that you have a warm heart and that's sweet
Sometimes soulmates aren’t romantic they’re platonic.
Romantic ones are often called twin flames and soul mates can be anyone. So true though
@@epektasis242 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️
Most of the time.
YESS!!!
I don't think the romantic type of love is special. And I am started to think that the romantic type of love isn't real. I mean about more than half of romantic couples either break up with each other or divorce each other, while most platonic best friends remain friends until death.
Also, most people are pretty much comfortable enough to be naked around someone and have sex with someone that they have no romantic feelings towards. So sex isn't really a thing about romance.
I think that having a platonic best friend is a lot better than having a romantic partner or spouse is. Having someone who's like a sibling to you is a lot better than having a romantic partner is. Also, you would more likely be much closer to a person who's like a brother or sister to you than you would be with a partner or spouse.
People tend to fight with their partner or spouse a lot more than they do with a platonic best friend, and you never fight with your best friend the way you fight with your partner or spouse. Partners and spouses are just temporary. If you break up or divorce them, it's hard to go back to them. With your platonic best friend, you're going to make things work, because they are your best friend, they are your go to partner. It's always easier to make amends with them than it is with a romantic partner or spouse.
This happens often in online gaming communities. Somebody recently who I was starting to know very well as his friend went dark for a 4-5 days. His Best friend posted in a few discord servers and informed all of us that he had passed away. The worst feeling is never knowing what happen to them and if they will ever call you back.
I’m so sorry for your friends loss 💐
I feel you on that, ive met some great folk gaming... and then have lost some never knowing what had happened... really is hard even when you dont know them outside of online stuff.
This is true. I knew someone from playing a MMO in the 90s. We got on very well so I was shocked when she revealed she had stage 3 lung cancer one day. She was alone as her son was a marine posted overseas. She went dark one day and I knew that was it. I never saw her avatar again but she left me all her in-game stuff. I'm glad she told me but I was sad I couldn't be there by her side as we're from different countries and I didn't have the means to go.
I didn't stay very long in that game after that. It's difficult when you logged in and you expect to see a name and it isn't there. You know it will never be there again.
You need to understand that online gaming friendships are not real friendships
@@MarcoDToon No, you would be surprised the bond you can form with people you never meet in person. Because talking to them, playing with them, even video chatting them sometimes. That is getting to know them. Sometimes you can find out more about a person than the people they've actually met. Something about being at a distance allows some people to open up more.
She has clearly been so worried about Fukue for so many years. Just the way she weeps after hearing her voice on the phone shows her relief.
To the people calling her clingy, theres people I care about and just would like to know if they are breathing every once in a while.
How can people get those C words mixed up? She loved her bff.. they picked each other at the darkest times and she wanted to know if she was ok due to her horrible childhood... pep are just mean n miserable
It seems self-awareness and clinginess may be mutually exclusive.
I couldn't agree with you more !!
you get me, you really get me :P thanks for piping in with understanding!
@@Atagal Thank you for sticking up for us, Donna
For a second I was like "What if she's dead?"
Same
I hope not
i had to consider all the possibilities when we went to look for her in Japan, so that was unfortunately one of them. Things went soo amazingly tho! I feel so lucky! thanks for watching our story!
@@JESSAakaJessicaStuartMusic Well I'm glad you found her!
I thought she commuted suicide 😳😐
That picture is so iconic. I feel like this story should be preserved somewhere. It's just beautiful, like something you would read in a book. Friends from completely different backgrounds, formed a bond so strong during their childhood, that when they became adults, one of them did as much as she could to meet her friend again.
completely agree
yes!!
im sayin bro
It's preserved right here!
it's stupid to befriend someone from a culture of big liars.
My heart is broken for childlike Fukue. How wonderful that Jessica cared so much that she went back to find her. I hope this life changing reconnection has made Fukue feel truly loved.
My first day of College, I had a "crush" on the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. After a semester, we became best friends. I could never tell her how I felt because she was so beautiful. 20 years later, we ran into each other and she invited me out to dinner. After 20 years, it felt so comfortable to be around each other again. A year later we married.
Rick Uyeda that called lucky 🍀
That is absolutely beautiful Rick. Congratulations buddy, so very happy for you. #LoveWins
I dont know why I assumed you were a girl at first, but either way that's a great story
Rick Uyeda I’m so happy for you! Congrats and I hope you are doing well
Beautiful.
I think i found em, the two pretty best friends.
Periodt 😏
OUUUUUUUUUUU
Hell yeah!!!!
Y e s
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE GOT ‘EM
Don’t know if I have ever seen such a perfect picture of two innocent kids .. best friends standing back to back .. and their happy expressions .. painted a thousand words
Beautifully expressed. You made my night
I feel a bit jealous seeing this as I have never had a friend like Jessica. She literally flew across the world to find her friend. I hope I find a friend like her someday.
That's not how it works, it's more that you have to be ready to be that Jessica for someone, or to mean so much for someone's life because of your caring that you change their life just like Fukue did for Jessica. You have to be willing to give infinite amount of love to deserve some of it in return.
@@creuvette29well said
I hope you do too.good true friends are not easy to find.you seem a nice person and I hope you will get your wish.
Fukue was bullied in school, yet she was so important to 1 person that after so many years and no contact this 1 person flew across the world to find her again. How beautiful! Never doubt how special you are Fukue
She is a wonderful human! I'm so happy we've reconnected :) thank you for watching.
After reading this story it put tears im eyes. What a beautiful story!
@@thomasseitz9877 aw thank you so much ! 🙏♥️
@@JESSAakaJessicaStuartMusic hey, it's you. Cool!
san t I know that was the most beautiful part. Fukue thought nobody cared about her but that reassured her that people did even to this day. To go to those lengths to reunite. Both of them are wonderful human beings.
So sad that Fukue was bullied so badly that she still cries about it. People can be so cruel.
If you quit or stop going to school, it’s not the end of the world. Parents should not push their children hard to go to school when they say they don’t want to go.
@billyfromtheusa TBF the stuff people experience in prison goes way beyond bullying at that point they're fighting for their lives.
I have yet to see a Facebook post stab anyone the face yet.
Bullying can ruin somebody.
@GodBotherer1 I know what you mean. There are always (new) people whom you can create bonds with. It's always possible.
@@ennyuiui It is NEVER your fault if you are bullied. I'm so glad it built up your character and that you were able to confront your bully. But for many people, bullying ruins their whole childhood. Schools should NEVER tolerate it.
The two kids look so happy together.
Even more proof, that there's always somebody, in the world, that's thinking about you.
Someone, somewhere, always.
God always is even if people are not. ❤
Really?... ... ... ... I dont know. maybe??. ... ... .
I've been detached to all of my schoolmates ever since. . Thinking what am I right now, if I am successful you mean?
SO important to have childhood friends. They shape our lives and influence us so much that we only realize the impact when we grow up. What a lovely friendship and reunion.
So true
Very true. I wish I had that. My oldest friend is from 7th grade but nothing more past that. Even then we don't really talk much. They've never been a sociable person so even when I do reach out, making plans is difficult. My next oldest from 9th grade, we still talk often and go on trips often. That friendship is something I really cherish, even if I don't get to say it that often (because they do not like emotional stuff much).
i had childhood friends but i barely remember them or think about them i haven't seen them since i was a little kid
oh....
I was bullied I was attacked verbally and phisically and shunned at public school and the teachers never cared , I was the shy, weird, quiet autistic girl who wore glasses all her life, I never had a true friend but I had fake friends bc idk how to make friends. I dreamed of finding my true love or finally getting a real true friend sigh seeing that video make me feel a bit jealous, like as if I want to get that feeling but I never had a good friend....
Fukue is like that friend you met on steam that was last online 7 years ago.
Ah yes this reminded me of a fun girl last time I was playing WoW (7 years ago), she said she was going to the army and no news since.
While writing this I didn't realize it was actually 7 years ago (summer 2013) lol so this matches perfectly what you said 😄
@@daboisindahood8616 how?
Feels really bad man...
LOL
@Dead Pool Kills Gacha 2 same
10 million views of Fukue and my story?? Holy moly! I can’t believe that people would even care - thank you, from the bottom of my heart ❤️🙏🤗
Oh my god! I wasn't expecting this comment. Hope you guys are doing great now!
This Story Touched Our Hearts Forever!!!
@@muskankaun ♥️♥️♥️🙏🙏🙏🤗🤗🤗
@@jessicaespinoza7920 thank you so much, Jessica! ♥️🤗🙏
Ahhhhh this makes me really happy that you were able to find her. True friendships really last a lifetime ❤️❤️❤️
I lost touch with a school friend when he emigrated to Western Australia and divorce.
We parted with unspoken friction.
Many years later I began my search on the internet until I finally tracked him down.
There after we wrote and called regularly until his untimely death earlier this year.
I am so glad we renewed our friendship and I understand completely how deep the bonds are.
Well done!
I’m sorry for your loss 😢
I have had a penpal in Japan for 15 years. We have never met but she is very special to me. Her name is Junko.
Awesome :)
Bless u both 🙌🏻
This made me cry. I also have a "lost pen pal" in Japan. I am an American woman, 74 years old, and exchanged letters and small gifts with Yoshiko Jinno, of Nagoya, from about 1958 to about 1963. She was two or three years older than I. She suddenly stopped writing to me. In the last letter, she told of a young man she was in love with. My memory is foggy about details, but as I vaguely recall, she did not think he loved her. She sounded sad, maybe even a bit hopeless. I wrote another few times, increasingly puzzled and worried. I never heard from her again.
Somewhere, I have those letters, but they are in a storage locker and I am too old to dig through everything to find them. I have thought of her many, many times over the years. I would love to tell her how much she opened my eyes to other cultures and places. All my life, I have longed to know other places and have had some opportunity to travel. In 2012, I had the opportunity to go to Tokyo and Kyoto on a semi-business trip, but only for a week. Finding her would have been impossible in that time and without being able to speak the language. I loved my trip, and it was melancholy, as well as fascinating. Yoshiko was with me the entire time, out there, somewhere. I hope she is happy, with grandchildren and a little house of her own.🌱🌼🌱
I really hope you find your friend someday even if the chances are low, I'm praying for you.
This is one of the most wholesome comments I've read on yt. Hope you find her one day!
I bet she is also thinking about you! I hope you'll get to meet her again!
Damn, I felt that. You know somewhere out there, she probably still thinks of you and feeling the same way you did. It makes me sad just thinking about that. Thank you for the story.
@@seraphik dang i really hope she finds he one day!
Dude, the picture of them leaning together as kids can’t be more perfect for this story.
exactly
Lovely picture representing a life long friendship.
So true. Very sweet.
I know right? That picture is taken perfectly. It symbolizes their friendship beautifully.
That's anime right there...
It just gave me so much happiness to know that despite Fukue going through so much as a kid, she is living a happy life with her husband and children.
This made me super emotional. I wonder how many people have a friend that has impacted them so much as a child.
For me... watching this was uncanny because I have a mirrored experience of what Jessica and Fukue had.
My Childhood BFF was Kaori and she moved to my town. We had about 2 years together and were very close. Our younger sisters were the same age too so we all played together. I remember the day she moved- She and her family came to our house to say goodbye- we were all crying as we waved to each other and they drove away. She moved to another state and then back to Japan. We tried to stay in touch as pen pals too! But we lost contact. I have a little folder with pictures of us and some letters she sent me. They have the names of her mom and dad, but I have no idea where they moved to after leaving the states. Even though I've always dreamed of finding her again, I'm was never sure how.
I'm really glad these two reunited. It's really special.
Why don't you message Jessica Stuart, to ask for some advice, or pointers on how she managed it ?
I'd love to know you managed to find your friend. 🙏
Why don't you mention their full names right here? One of the four people in their family may be reading this very story as they had a similar experience with you. They can contact you right away.
I was thinking, imagine seeing it on TV, that someone's looking for you, someone trying so hard to find you, because they care about you that much.
Funny thing is, i felt weird at the thought of her Fukue seeing a story about it before I found her and got in touch, cause they gave the story soooo much press, which I didn’t expect at all! It all worked out tho 🤗
I wouldn’t believe it because no one cares about me lol of it was me it would be a joke
I World cry a lot
When you are the like that gets the comment to 1k
Would be amazing right?
Seriously, an anime series should be written out of this. I'm literally crying right now.
Half of the anime I've watched are basically this story. Half of that is one of them doesn't remember the other, or both don't remember having been friends like, three years before -_-
@Chuchu You must be having daddy issues. How pitiful. 😒
Seriously I need one I just need one bro
Hell yesss me too
Mostly stories like this are RomCom Harem Anime
Like Nisekoi
I was crying. I’m so happy you found her and that she was doing well.
Such a beautiful story. I also had a girlfriend from Okinawa and we’ve lost touch. It’s been 30 years, I’ve tried FB but no luck. Her name is Yuri Izumi. I hope that she is doing well. I am so happy for you and Fukue ❤
Did you try any of the people search companies?? It costs $5 to $30. Google her name and I’m sure there will be people search you can see to look into.
Beautiful story... I'm 57 now.. Had a pen pal when I was 16...we never met but I loved him.. We wanted to meet but neither one of us could afford it... However to make a long story short we met 18 years later.. By then we were both married to different people.. It was a tough time but or friendship remained intact... I became very ill and could not afford medical treatment in my country. He invited me to his country where he got me the best in the medical field and paid all my medical expenses. He and his lovely wife and caring family took care of me for two months then I returned home. That was 20+ ago. We are still in contact via social Media. I was invited to visit this tear but covid 19 changed things... GOD place folks in our lives for so many different reasons. I'm glad He placed my friend in mine. Great friends are a blessing.
Your story is like mind
and i dont even get to make friends in hs since all of mine left me at the same time :( hope i get to go through at least one year in hs normally
Beautiful story making me tear....
friends are priceless
It's such a beautiful story.
Made me tear up.
"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." Martin Luther King
Big quote! Thanks for watching and commenting 🙏
WAIT UR THE GIRL IN THIS VID OMG but that aside dang how did u have such a good friendship with fufuke
Damn.......
or both
What if your freinds are your enemies
I had an English pen pal, Sylvia, for 39 years. She died of heart attack in 2001. Miss her still. I am almost 75 same age as her if she'd lived.
Friendship that break the continental border and still exist even after a long period of lost contact. What a beautiful documentary.
Spoiler:
I was so scared they would find out that Fukue had died or something, I'm glad they reunited!
same
Me too
I was thinking like.. Suicide when she mentioned bullying. Im so relieved
@weeby weeb you noticeddddd 😃 lwmcownxlw, hey atleast we share a fellow anime liking lol
Ikr same 😂😭
I just looked at their instagrams and the only person fukue follows is jessica 😭🥰
How did Jessica not find her instagram but you did?
@Davy GN’R yea makes sense
@Davy GN’R no it's the truth
@@zuzom589 did u not watch the documentary?
@@toast-withbutter936 uh yea? Lol what kind of question is that
What a heartwarming tribute of unconditional love and Friendship; it's why Fake News never airs love like Jess and Fukue share.
it’s so cute how both of these people fit together like a puzzle piece I wish them both the best and I’m so happy they found each other!
at first i thought it was gonna be a sad documentary and finding out she was murdered．
I thought she would commit suicide.
ikrrrrr
you're mean.. I thought I'm the only one who thinks so
Same!!
Me tooo 🤭
I had a penpal in Greece whom I lost contact with one day. I messaged his brother through Facebook, only to find that he died of illness. I flew all the way to Greece to visit his grave. Of course, I met his mom, his brothers, and his friends. He’s always my angel.
God bless him and your soul, you and your friend had a short time in life. Hope you get better in life now, Godspeed
This is really sad.. Bless his soul
i actually cried
Holy crap life is so sad.
My penpal loved drawing. He had lots of drawings of me. When his mom saw me, the Asian girl he used to draw, she hugged me tightly and burst into tears. That was so heartbreaking.
Still my favorite documentary on youtube, it really touches your soul
I had a pen pal from Japan back in 4th grade. Our teacher had taught English there years before so he along with a Japanese teacher he had befriended jointly set up a pen pal program for their two respective classes for the entire school year. My pal was a girl named kimiko if I recall correctly and we liked writing to each other enough that we continued our exchange even past the point when the program was over. I still think about those letters sometimes even now almost 25 years later and wonder how she’s doing and I hope she still looks back on those times fondly as well from time to time.
Finding nemo
Finding dory
Finding fukue
🤣
Hahahaha lmao 😂🤣😂😂😂🤣
Ha.
Next stop.
Finding your house...…...
Princess Bloom next stop
Finding your body
I love that Jess has the same mannerisms as the Japanese, still speaks Japanese fairly well and is respectful in that sense. It warmed my heart when she found her.
Yeah she seems very respectful in Japan unlink certain people *cough cough Logan Paul cough cough*
"Japan is all about the respeeeekkkkkkttttttt!" - Said by a great Japanese Philosopher, Senpai Paul.
cvc LMAOOO
Is it really so shocking that someone who at a young age goes to school in a foreign country would be well adapted? When moving to a country the appropriate thing to do is to strive to integrate in as many ways as possible. Jessica and her family clearly did their best to adapt to their surroundings and a key component was learning the language and the manners. Not to mention how is one to learn effectively if one cannot understand the language?
I wasn't shocked at all when she started speaking Japanese, the thing that I did applaud her for though was the way she correctly accepted the business card. Even I made the mistake of not properly inspecting someone's business card the first time I was in Japan and I prepped thoroughly for that trip.
MorningStar Kematch
Aahhhh you just spoiled it xDdd
I'm glad that Fukue didn't give up due to her struggles. Also, I'm glad that Jessica was able to find her. Great story.
I watched this video a few years ago, and here it is again in my CZcams feed. It was and still is one of the most beautiful and touching videos I've ever watched. I'm an elderly man, and this brings an upwelling of emotions again in a remarkably wonderful way. Thank you for sharing your and Kukue's story. The reception and help you received in Saku was truly amazing. I am so happy you found your friend, that she is doing well and has such a beautiful family.
I would echo your thoughts, sir. I, too, watched it a few years ago and it came up in my suggestions just today. I had to watch it again and even though I knew the outcome, I still had those "what if" feelings. It's a great story.
I thought this was going to be a mysterious crime but THANK GOD IT WASNT
🤣💜
Mrs. B. 💜
Kookie Cutie oml SAME
You gave it away
The girls kid had bts merch on
The principal remembers everything and still keeps old yearbooks. Amazing. He's so caring and involved with his students.
Of course the school has all the yearbooks. It's not like the principal himself kept them in his own personal possession. Just like ANY school, you can find ALL of the yearbooks. It's nothing out of the ordinary. Every school keeps records of their history, students, faculty, and beyond. Same exact situation at my elementary school.
@@adameves5970 In my country it's not something common, that's why I was surprised
Yeah, the fact he took time off to help this lady find a long lost friend. I doubt they'd do that in the states...probably not even return a phone call. I love Japanese culture for such niceties as that but unfortunately they also have bullying like every country. In a way it might make kids more resilient and grateful to still form friendships. The Jessica was probably viewed as an oddity and Fukue sensing their being mutual "outsiders" chose to try to get to know her and their friendship blossomed. That is scary when you lose touch with someone, you fear they are dead, lost your contact info and moved away and will never be found again...So awesome the news people were there to also help find Fukue. Yeah, probably since it is a small town and this westerner musician who came back would make the story all the more compelling for locals.
@@miameow4833 "I doubt they'd do that in the states" Ummm a TV opportunity for the school and the Principal for something positive? I doubt you'd find a US school that would pass that up lmao.
Adam Eves yes it is out of the ordinary because I was a librarian and we keep a clean not written in copy of every year. The one he had was his personal one with all the children’s special writings in it!
My wife and I are so happy for you for finding your childhood friend. We all have childhood friends, but not all of us are fortunate to reconnect with them. Your story is so beautiful. Thank you!
My best friend was killed in a car accident 3 months after graduating. I understand that feeling of loss. Please stay friends!!
Her: finds old friend across the world after 30 years
Me: can't find my keys I had yesterday
Chris Xiong i dont think this is the best time and video to use that meme on.. be more sympathetic.
@@onigirinyaa6854 How can you tell that he isn't sympathetic?
Chris Xiong same
Correction: can't find my keys I had 30 seconds ago
Kohpi Binz Nobody died, the story has a happy ending so whats the problem?
She felt nostalgic for a childhood friend that befriended her when she was lonely..., those type of feelings u don't forget
dalexxa, both needed each other . have a nice day.
Ken narville wHat the hell!
Ken narville that’s kinda racist in the way I took it cause a lot of people think they all look the same you saying that made me go wHat the hell!
@Ken narville I guess you didn't watch the whole documentary. It was worthwhile for Jessica, and that is what mattered.
@Ken narville if you wish to be left alone don't leave inflammatory comments in a place that will be seen. How old are you by way? I'm guessing you are a young person. I don't know what you have against the Japanese but it could have been India, Germany, etc. where her parents took her. The point was she never forgot her childhood friend.
Wow, dang I teared up good. To carry that love in your heart for your friend for so long is truly inspirational and even more so to be able to reconnect again---true friendship is an amazing blessing.
This made me cry! This was so beautiful to watch! It makes me happy that they were able to reunite with one another. The power of friendship is beautiful, Jess is a definition of a true best friend.
I’m not crying, you are. That’s a true friend there.
She just started ignoring her for years on end, true friendship lol.
I do not understand, why did i almost cry even tho i never cry at something "emotional".
@@homokala8170 cos you're a simp?
Chris The Tech Guy I’m not crying bish
Raissa Suwardhono lol
The lengths people are willing to go for the people they care about is amazing.
Yves Aubert and the most dangerous weapon
Helion Zerx and i- oop 😂😂😂
I was trying to hold it in but this comment made me burst in tears.
@Yves AubertFirst of all love isn't a weapon.
I think some of it has to do with the fact that she felt guilty for leaving her in that condition, that's why she had to come back to see/make sure she was okay. It's so wonderful how humans in such short time can develop so much love and affection for each other. It also shows how a single human can have such a great impact on your life.
I am a grown man, this video bought tears to my eyes. So happy for you both.
I am so glad they could reconnect. Friendships can be so powerful, especially in childhood. Even though they were halfway across the world, it makes me happy they could find each other again.
It’s just so crazy that some people that know each other for 2 years can have this kind of relationship and while other that have been friends for 10+years can stab you in the back for some benefits 😔
Same thought
Yeah sad I was best friends with a girl when I was 10 and just in January we broke it off because of what she said to me.
Hi Jessica your story made me so sad but yet so happy too.I'm just glad that you found Fukue alive and ☺Wish you many more years ❤ as friends wished i had a friend like you
Ooooh that's so true, as somebody with first hand experience of this. Good friends with this bloke for 8 years, throughout highschool and Uni, and he stole a pair of shoes from me, for literally $500, he threw a 8 year old friendship out. I never saw it coming.
True mahn
Fukues daughter looks just like her when she was young with jessica
It tends to be like that with asians
@hannie _x same i don't see Fukues daughter looking like her mom when her mom was young
This isnt a dating site,..dude
@@thayoutubebigwig1109 ok dude lol
You are both so blessed to have that kind of friendship and were able to find each other again.
I cried like a baby watching this! Good friends are so hard to come by these days! I am do glad you were able to find her and she’s doing well! I really hope you both continue to stay in touch!
What a beautiful story of friendship and love despite time and distance❤ The reconnection as though no time had passed is the sweetest...like picking up right where they left off.
I thought this was gonna be some horrible realization that her friend was dead and never found. I’m glad it turned out the way it did!
@@unarmedblackguy lmao looking through the comments while watching was basically wanting to spoil it for urself dude.
Elly Principato I’m not
@@unarmedblackguy don't read the comments then🤣 it does not take a genious to know that the comments are for discussions about the video... Are you on drugs?!
@@cookiejammer1944 I'm sure they didn't mean the comment to sound mean.
I never died, I'm your soul friend.
All I can say is this: True friendship is priceless.
That's the reason why Naruto woudn't give up bringing Sasuke back to Konoha
@Plautus egal?
@Plautus egal huh
@@jianbitak1814 haha
@Claire Maurrier but it do
I've seen many documentaries in my life. This instantly became one of my very favorites. Simple and life-affirming. So glad I watched.
I watched this short documentary 2 years ago and just watched it again. Jess this video fills my heart in places I didn't know existed, ha. Fukue's and your story resonate with me. I'm an army brat and I had what seems like a tonnage of friends that seem to be littered all over the place. It's happy to hear of two old friends meeting each other after 30 years. Awesome.
Imagine leaving such a positive impression on someone's life that they never forget you, even years and years later. Think we should all try and do that :)
This happened to me with a childhood friend and i looked and looked until i found her
Yea I was borned in Pakistan and I had so much fun with my best friend, when we'll go back to Pakistan I'll surprise my best friend it would be sad if he moved to a different country.
This happened to me one summer in Mexico, I met a very good friend. Then I had to come back to Oklahoma & lost touch 😞
I've had that
@@JayRuiz-jm8yk I have a half-sister I haven't seen since I was 10 years old she was 20 and now I'm 60 and she 70 I finally found her on Facebook he lives in California I live in Las Vegas 5 hours away from each other 🥰🥰😍
I did the same thing as Fukue once (cut off contact with everyone because I was in a really bad place in life) so I understand why she did it. Kudos to Jessica for never forgetting her friend.
She was so special and different from everyone else I met there or knew in Canada, that I could never forget her. Thank you for sharing.
i'm doing that now 🤷
@@Ari-ih5un hope things get better for you.
Yeah, I did that once as well. I moved away from a great friend and I didn't keep in contact. I was being bullied where I moved to and distracted by a lot of other goings on in school, life, etc. She ended up finding me again and we met up.. she asked me why I never called or kept in contact. I tried to explain that it wasn't her, how it was several other things... she didn't understand. /: We really don't talk much now. 'Fun' facts, people change yet stay the same, I couldn't relate to her as much as I did as a kid.
I cut off my friends from not being accepted the way I am. I was an entertainer at girls gatherings and this one from my close friend didn't want me at all to dance. She felt that's what's making me being popular and she disliked it. I helped her in many ways beside bathing her kids, taking them to parks, even cleaning their poop sometimes but that just never felt enough for her. We were friends for almost 15 years I totally respected her house since she was married everything i wanted i had to ask but that never felt enough. She copied my dressing style even my habit gosh! she just liked the way i talked the way i do things and after she got enough from me, When i had a very difficult situation that i expected her to help me, she ignored me and started making some distance from me and this happened when i got married in 2015. I just decided to delete her out of my life but I can't get her out of my mind from what she did to me it was unbelievable. My husband just can't stand the stories he hears about us and he does understand WHY MY FRIEND REALLY AFFECTED ME EMOTIONALLY, AND MENTALLY. Pray for me guys friends are horrific!!!
What an amazing story! It is awesome that she was able to find her friend.
Thank you at last a real video that even made me cry .
they're talking like no time has passed. Wow. You can see their connection. I hope they remain friends for life.
she ended up killing herself a month after this, its on media and so sad.
@@ClydeW893 BRUH WHERE- last time I checked, no other comments are talking about her death, and I searched it up and nothing, so someone's fibbing here..
@@nancy54379 Yes. Fukue. She committed ss. I remember seeing the video about it. She was lonely and left behind her husband and children. Her childhood was not very good and she was bullied her whole life, not just during her childhood. They found her vehicle and she wasn't inside, they did an investigation and she was found by a riverbed. It's super sad what happened. I can send you the link and video if you like.
@@ClydeW893 yes please.. I was just about to ask you to send the link.
Wait really? I thought you were lying also can you send the link
That picture of them when they were young, back to back with each other, is so wholesome. Like it wasn't in real life. Like it was from a movie. So beautiful.
IKR!!! i'm pretty sure her parent take that, no wonder she is musician when grow up. the artist blood passed down in her..
My exact thoughts, If I had a picture like that I would put it literally everywhere
the most underrated photo
@@raghad_1153 i will make it for my album cover if i were a musician
Ikr! When this story becomes a movie (which I hope) I want that picture to be the poster
Beautiful and heartwarming. So happy for you both to have found eachother again. True friendship never really alters.
This is so beautiful. I wish you two a lifetime friendship. I cried while watching this it´s so touching. So happy for you both!
youtube: hey, wanna watch this video about pen-pals?
me: nah, no thanks!
youtube: we'll see about that
Hah, yeah, I finally clicked it after CZcams recommended it to me like 20 times.
CZcams just wouldn't give up on recommending this to me...
Accurate
So true CZcams is a vortex
i saw this video like 76 times on my feed and now the 77th time, i clicked it.
Tell Fukue to stop cutting the god dam onions.
heheh.
Ikr she really need to stop
abndnsjdjs word
tell that to Namjoon
@@emokaeya8845 what?
Nothing but tears here once she finally met her friend. This was nice!
I'm in tears watching this video. What a friendship Jessica and Fukue! 🤗
Fukue‘s daughter looks so much like Fukue when she was younger, that‘s adorable
Yeah that's really cute.
I'm pretty sure the young ones are look alikes
Fr😩
or your just a racist
@@danielmkandrews Who you talking to here because nobody here is being racist and btw you're
I’ve had a pen pal in Russia for over 40 years. We finally met in St Petersburg in 2019. It was wonderful!!
Oh wow
:)
Wow. That is the most racist thing I've heard all week.
@@daboisindahood8616 tf
@@daboisindahood8616 how tho
Oh my goodness. I cried so much. This was like watching a real-life anime. It would be so amazing if an anime studio picked up this story - I think KyoAni would do this story justice. I'm so happy for everyone. The most wholesome story I have come across in a while.
Actually, this story reminds me of one anime movie: 5 Centimetres Per Second by Makoto Shinkai
@@NoName-sj8fc Oh god, I've only ever heard of that movie referred to as "The saddest Anime movie ever".
Seriously this documentary needs to be adapted to a manga, an anime, an anime movie
one naive weeb.
@@giannilyanicks1718 and yet you brought it upon yourself to comment. Legit think you should find something better to do than to be an ass to people you don't know.
This is so beautiful, I wish you both all the best in life. Its so rare to come across friends like this.
It's so cute how she speaks Japanese.
Fukue is lucky to have such a caring loyal friend.
pumpkin monster!!!
Comment Freely That would be St. Pumpkin Monster, the patron saint of long-lost friends.
in the other hand I hate listening her speak it, she sounds lazy
Ken narville, dude, I’m sorry for whatever bad experiences you’ve had with Japanese people who you thought were your friends, but please don’t assume that that means ALL Japanese people are just like that. To state such an assumption about any race or nationality as a whole, as fact, is to overlook the human individual and imprison yourself in a sad, lonely little box. I could never wish that on anybody.
Ken narville, you’re entitled to your opinion based on your personal experience. At the same time, if you keep in mind that no matter how painful your personal experiences with Japanese people have been, you have not met and gotten to know MOST Japanese, you can still go forward - with caution, yes, but not without hope. Each human being, regardless of race, nationality or culture, is an individual you can only evaluate after taking the time to get to know. Evaluating a person negatively _before_ getting to know them, not only does your fellow human being a disservice; it does *you* a disservice as well, depriving yourself the opportunity to explore possible friendships or life-enriching relationships.
I’m not saying you need to try to get to know more Japanese people if you’re still hurting from your past experiences, and need time to heal. I’m only saying please, try to keep those experiences in perspective: try to remember that the number of Japanese people who wronged you, are in no way most of the Japanese people in the world. As long as we have not yet met and become well acquainted with the majority of individuals in any demographic, we cannot in all fairness slap a negative label on all or even most of them.
By all means, share your experiences if you need to process what happened and find closure, but don’t let your pain drive you to make sweeping derogatory statements about any group as a whole. Don’t abandon hope just because it’s easier to be angry.
I am so glad this turned out happily. My grandmother had a similar experience, but it did not turnout well. Grandma had a very good Japanese BFF who lived in the US for nearly 20 years before she moved back to Japan. This was in the days before the Internet became available to the general public, so they wrote to each other often. I remember the stacks of letters Grandma kept. The last letter she received from her friend, she wrote she was coming back to the US and I remember Grandma was so happy and it seems like she was 20 years younger after receiving that letter. Sadly, her friend never returned to the US because she lived in Kobe, and about 4 months after she wrote the letter, the Great Hanshin Earthquake struck and killed more than 6,000 residents of Kobe. Grandma's friend was among the dead. Our family was so afraid for her because of the deep depression Grandma went into. Even though Grandma was not a Buddhist, she had made shrine in the style of a Japanese butsudan in an alcove of her house in memory of her friend.
aw thats really sad. i hope your grandmother is ok now
thats so heartbreaking i hope your grandmother is better
That is so sad... 😢 I hope your grandmother was able to find peace and happiness after that...
Aw that’s a sad story.
A true friendship is a bond of respect, love and endless laugher. My heart and thoughts go out to yr Grandma. Please place something from me on her shrine. Much 💖
Im so so happy they were able to meet again after 30 yrs, Jessica was one determined young woman
A truly beautiful story. Thanks for the documentation.
If she didn't find her, I was ready to give you guys the biggest thumbs down.
😂😂😂😂
Same
If she was me, I’d be thinking things (like while I was looking for her): am I being clingy? What if she doesn’t care? What if She forgot me?
yes exactly i was tryna find my guy friend too and thought the same thing
@@sarahleechang2122 what happened?
@@li1978 well I did end up finding him back through Facebook, though we've obviously changed throughout the years at least my thoughts were wrong and we're still cool
@SirSnufflelots Sucks never having someone want to see you huh?
@SirSnufflelots Well, if someone impacted your life and it doesnt matter if it was just a year or 6 months, wouldn't you be curious wondering how they are doing? Like she said, Fukue isn't on social media and its been 30 years. 30 years of wondering what happened to the person that changed your perspective and that gave you inspiration.
What an inspiring story. Jessica and Fukue your friendship restored my faith in humanity.
I cried😭 so much after watching this it's such a beautiful friendship
everyone needs a friend like Jessica in their lives🤧🤧🤧
this could be a legendary studio ghibly animation anime movie.
That's a great idea
BROOOO THAT WOULD BE SICK
that's dope dude...
what?
5cm per second
Imagine what it must be like to have someone who genuinely cares so much about you that even after years of no contact they go out to find you
Howbout what it feels like?
I am not able to imagine it.
yes I can imagine, don`t you have parents who care about you?
Litteraly all the way across the world
@@missprettyschannel parents who truly care about thier children loose them and give up way easier than this lady all the time
Nothing ever beats true friendship... I absolutely love this story... I got very emotional at the end
I couldn't stop myself from crying. How sad and at the same time sweet story this beautiful souls have. Thank you for bringing such a beautiful story to us!
I feel that Jessica is not just her best friend, but also her “Japanese sister” which is a emotional moment to see them after all those years.
What a sweet and heart warming story I know exactly how Fukue tell because I was bullied the same as her I'm glad her life turned out as well as it hasn't she was really happyshe deserves the best in life and hats off to Jesse for finding her you can just see that they're meant to be
jason liao yes, soul mates 💖💖
@Ken narville how so?
@Ken narville how do you know have you ever been to Japan I have and I know that some people there would do that
Of course, the Canadian girl provided security and trustfulness in situation where the Japanese girl would otherwise be bullied. Who wouldn't be appreciative of that?
despite Fukue's struggle and bullying... she turned out just fine with a happy family. thank you for sharing your friendship with us.
I'm glad.
spoiled it for me lol 😆
@Ken narville So do you?
@Ken narville you didn't either
@Ken narville yeah. And I wonder where did all your comments go
I keep coming back to this video and always makes me cry...as its filled with so much emotions and I am so incredibly happy that you met up with her again while always thinking of her
What a great story. Made me cry. I'm so happy they are reunited.
15:28
The picture of them leaning when they were kids has some thing magical I could not describe.
Yes
I knowww right
Yeeess !! Ikr ?? I thought the same that picture is sooo powerful ! It's as if it was straight from some deep movie or something.
The photo gives such vibes... Hard to describe
It gives some "lost childhood friend" movie/anime vibe
She got bullied but look at her now, living her life to the fullest. Steady job, big car & lovely family. I'm glad they finally met each other after 30 years.
@Ken narville No, she seems as happy as possible.
@Ken narville But why would you say that she isn't happy. What shows that she isn't happy?
@@brisaquina8816 Well it is possible she could just be faking it, bullying can cause trauma to a child for life...
@@greencityorgization7372 I mean she could ,but also she can be not
five reasons why japanese doesn't make good friends:
1 they choose who is worth to hear their tatemae (truth thoughts ) and prefer to use tatemae ( lies) no matter how hard we're polite or nice to them
2 they only thinks to work-work over over
3 they pretends to be kind they just force themselves
4 they never wants to learn internatuional languages, and when we speak poorly japanese they mocks at our accent
5 they have xenophobia
This is a beautiful story! I initially was not going to watch it, but the story pulled me in. I started crying halfway through it. Amazing how Jessica retained and developed her Japanese language skills over the years! And so wonderful that both women have fulfilling lives. And wonderful that they picked up their friendship where it left off.