QUOTE
SAITAMA -- A 64-year-old man who runs a mold-making plant is set to fulfill a long-cherished dream and graduate from high school.
Hiroshi Shimazaki quit junior high school in Yoshikawa when he was a second-year student because his father became ill.
After giving up school, Shimazaki worked at press factories in Tokyo and Yoshikawa. He began running his own company in his 30s, but he still desired to complete his high school education.
Upon the advice of a friend, Shimazaki sat for a governmental junior high school-level examination and passed.
In February 2002, he passed the entrance examination for the local Yoshikawa High School.
Since then Shimazaki drove his truck to school for four years without ever being late or absent.
Shimazaki has been getting good grades and his favorite subject is Japanese history.
During general study classes, Shimazaki, who has worked in factory jobs for years, is almost like a teacher. He and 15 classmates managed to repair an old mikoshi portable shrine.
Shimazaki will graduate from Yoshikawa High School with his classmates, who are mostly teenagers, on March 3.
"After going down many long roads, my dream of graduating from high school is finally coming true," Shimazaki said. "I will never forget the importance of studying," he said.
Hiroshi Shimazaki quit junior high school in Yoshikawa when he was a second-year student because his father became ill.
After giving up school, Shimazaki worked at press factories in Tokyo and Yoshikawa. He began running his own company in his 30s, but he still desired to complete his high school education.
Upon the advice of a friend, Shimazaki sat for a governmental junior high school-level examination and passed.
In February 2002, he passed the entrance examination for the local Yoshikawa High School.
Since then Shimazaki drove his truck to school for four years without ever being late or absent.
Shimazaki has been getting good grades and his favorite subject is Japanese history.
During general study classes, Shimazaki, who has worked in factory jobs for years, is almost like a teacher. He and 15 classmates managed to repair an old mikoshi portable shrine.
Shimazaki will graduate from Yoshikawa High School with his classmates, who are mostly teenagers, on March 3.
"After going down many long roads, my dream of graduating from high school is finally coming true," Shimazaki said. "I will never forget the importance of studying," he said.
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