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Japan's Latest: Ototake Hirotada

For the 3+ years I've been in Japan, I haven't found anything terribly exciting on the literary front--until now. If you're not familiar with the author Ototake Hirotada, I strongly urge you to hurry and check out the profile posted on CNN.com. Aside from his tender age (he's still an undergraduate at a Tokyo university), there's one other distinguishing characteristc to this remarkable young man: he has no arms or legs. In his inspiring autobiography "Gotai Fumanzoku (Not in Perfect Shape)," Hirotada offers a boisterous and moving account of how the human spirit can overcome even the most challenging handicaps. His accomplishments are especially impressive considering Japan's sad lag in its attitudes toward the physically disabled. But the widespread popularity of "Gotai Fumanzoku" and its frank, upbeat author may help bring about change. Be among the first to English-language readers to become acquanted with this remarkable young man.

Tue, 16 Nov 1999 13:35:03 -0800