Japanese rugby legend Seiji Hirao, a leader of Japan's rugby world from the 1980s as a player and then as a coach, died three years ago at the age of 53 without being able to see Japan hosting the Rugby World Cup.
Shinya Yamanaka, 57, director of the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application at Kyoto University, told The Yomiuri Shimbun about his friendship with Hirao ahead of the competition, which kicks off on Friday.
The two met for the first time for a talk organized by a magazine in September 2010 when both men were in their late 40s. They were all smiles as they discussed various topics, from rugby and regenerative medicine to their thoughts on leadership and the ways Japanese people can make an impact in the world.
Before long, their relationship developed to the point where their families were also close. When Yamanaka won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012, they got together to celebrate Yamanaka's award.
But they would only be able to enjoy their friendship for about six years.
"His fight with the disease started around the time of the previous RWC [in 2015]. I can't believe four years have already passed," Yamanaka said.
One day in September 2015, Hirao vomited blood at home. He had a medical checkup the very same day and was diagnosed with cholangiocellular cancer. The following day, Hirao contacted Yamanaka for treatment advice. The Nobel laureate was the first person outside of Hirao's family whom he informed about his condition. Looking at Hirao's CT scan results, Yamanaka was shocked. The cancer was at an advanced stage and had spread into his liver.
But Hirao was not fazed.
"He simply said, 'That's just the way it goes, doctor.' His attitude didn't change at all. Fighting until the end was the only option left to him and his family," Yamanaka recalled.
Yamanaka said he will never forget Hirao's remarks when he was treated with a new drug with unknown side effects.
"'Apparently, we're doing something no one else has ever done,' he said cheerfully to his wife sitting next to him. Even when his life was at risk, he was a kind man who tried not to worry the people around him. 'What an incredible guy,' I thought."
Hirao did not make a dramatic recovery, and his fight against the disease ended on Oct. 20, 2016.
At a memorial service held for Hirao on Feb. 20 the following year, Yamanaka gave an address, saying: "I was tremendously fortunate to be able to spend time with you. Thank you, Mr. Hirao. I'm so sorry I couldn't cure your illness."
Hirao had long dreamed of Japan hosting the Rugby World Cup and was eagerly awaiting the event. In the latter days of his life, he talked about the tournament many times with Yamanaka, who used to belong to the rugby club of Kobe University, where he studied medicine.
"Japan's true ability will be put to the test at the event because the other countries will go all out," he recalled Hirao saying. "I think he'll be watching the Japan RWC wherever he is. And, together with him, I'll be watching the players give their all," Yamanaka said.
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