🌸 Introduction
This is Tobira AI, your friendly neighbor from Japan.
Thank you for stopping by — please take your time and relax while reading.
Today’s theme is simple but profound:
“What do we think about when facing absolute adversity?”
It’s a story of one man’s courage, recovery, and the quiet beauty of resilience — the story of Ryukyu Broadcasting Corporation’s announcer, Lintaro Karimata.
🎙️ Who Is Lintaro Karimata?
Lintaro Karimata, age 51, is one of Okinawa’s most beloved radio personalities and a board member at Ryukyu Broadcasting Corporation (RBC). Since 2008, he has hosted the wildly popular “MUSIC SHOWER Plus+”, a weekday radio show that runs for four hours — from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
With his warmth, humor, and unique character (yes, he once wore a bright orange suit to the company entrance ceremony!), he has been the voice of Okinawa for nearly two decades. Listeners affectionately call him Lintaro-san.
🎧 How I First Discovered Him
I live in Hyogo Prefecture, far from Okinawa. During the pandemic, I started using radiko, Japan’s internet radio app, to feel as if I were “traveling” while staying home. That’s when I stumbled upon RBCi Radio.
The chemistry between Lintaro-san and his co-host Mariko Kudaka was perfect — laughter, insights, even tears. I became an instant fan.
My wife and I even bought the program’s T-shirts and wireless earbuds. (Yes, we are that kind of listener!)
In fact, my nickname “Tobira AI” was inspired by the program.
🏆 Winning the Galaxy Award
In May 2023, Lintaro-san received the 60th Galaxy Award – Grand Prize in the Radio Category for his special program “Danny Boy: Teiko Saito, Living with Jazz” (originally aired on December 31, 2022).
It was a proud moment — and a testament to his dedication to storytelling and sound.
⚡ A Sudden Stroke
But later that same year, tragedy struck.
On September 23, 2023, Lintaro-san suffered a stroke that left him with right-side paralysis and aphasia.
For an announcer, losing the ability to speak must have felt like losing his identity.
He disappeared from the airwaves. For a year and a half, his fans — including me and my wife — wondered and worried silently: “Will Lintaro-san ever come back?”
🌅 The Unforgettable Comeback
On March 6, 2025, Lintaro Karimata finally returned to the radio with a new segment called “Rin-kun’s Great Adventure.”
His speech was slow and sometimes halting — but his words carried more power than ever before.
“I still have things I want to do.”
That sentence brought tears to my eyes.
💪 “My Life Is Not Over Yet”
In a public talk in October 2025, reported by the Okinawa Times, he shared:
“My life is not over. That’s why I’ll keep trying new things. I want to move forward.”
He revealed that at one point, he could neither listen, speak, read, nor write.
But through relentless rehabilitation, he slowly regained his abilities and returned to broadcasting.
“Even after I came back to work, I often couldn’t understand what my colleagues were saying. Just sitting there was painful,”
he confessed.
Still, he smiled and said:
“It’s my life, so I want to enjoy it fully. I’m weak, but I had people I could open up to when things were hard.”
💬 “Aphasia Does Not Shake One’s Humanity”
At that same event, speech therapist Mariko Matsuda, who worked with him from the early stages, said something unforgettable:
“Even if a person suffers from aphasia, their humanity and the value of their life do not waver.”
Not “do not change,” but “do not waver.”
It’s a phrase full of quiet, unshakable strength.
🕊️ A Personal Reflection
As someone who has also struggled mentally this year, I found deep comfort in his words.
“I still have things I want to do.”
How can a man who lost his voice say that — and mean it with such light?
That’s not just courage. It’s beauty.
Lintaro Karimata reminds me that life’s worth is not defined by ability or speed, but by the will to move forward, no matter how slowly.
💎 “Rather Than What Is Right, Choose What Is Beautiful”
His motto, written on his website, is:
“Do what is beautiful rather than what is merely right.”
At first, I didn’t quite understand it.
But now I think I do.
Saying “My life isn’t over. I’ll keep going.” — that is both right and beautiful.
As an educator, I want to nurture children who live with that same spirit.
Ask them, “What do you still want to do?” — and keep asking until they find their answer.
🌺 In Gratitude
Lintaro Karimata, thank you.
Your voice — even when imperfect — reminds us what it means to live.
Humanity and life’s value do not waver.
That truth will stay with me forever.
📚 Source: Okinawa Times (October 25, 2025)
🔗 Lintaro Karimata – Wikipedia (Japanese)
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