There’s a new name associated with the word hero. It’s Hideaki Akaiwa.
Tragedy can inspire heroic deeds and such was the case of Akaiwa, who took on the task of rescuing family members in the wake of Japan’s recent historic earthquake and tsunami.
Safely on high ground, but separated from his family, his fears for his loved ones spurred him to action.
Unwilling to wait on rescue personnel, Akaiwa found scuba equipment and swam nearly 200 yards through the flooded former streets now filled with twisted metal and debris to the home he shared with his wife. His beloved spouse of two decades was still alive and he hauled her to safety.
Days later with his mother still not showing up at any of the evacuation shelters, Akaiwa again took matters into his own hands. This time wading through the floating debris in water up to his neck until he reached the house where his mother resided. She was surviving on the second floor of her home. With the help of her diligent son, she made her way through the destructive waters to safety. It’s another tale of an unusual rescue, like the story of the man found floating on a roof miles out at sea.
Akaiwa has turned his sights on helping his fellow citizens. He doesn’t need a cape or superpowers to claim the title hero.
