At the 100th GRIPS Forum on November 10, 2014, Mr. Hirotada Ototake, gave a lecture titled “The Power to Love Yourself”.

• Abstract

Jibun wo Aisuru Chikara (“The Power to Love Yourself”) – The feeling of self-affirmation
Mr. Hirotada Ototake will speak on the feeling of self-affirmation, which is also a key factor for living in the contemporary age, while drawing on the contents of his Jibun wo Aisuru Chikara (“The Power to Love Yourself,” Kodansha Gendai Shinsho), a work that attracted tremendous attention as soon as it entered bookstores. His remarks will include many episodes about how he was raised by his parents, which he also described in his debut book, Gotai Fumanzoku (“No One’s Perfect”). Why is he able to live his life so actively and cheerfully, despite having to struggle with serious disabilities right from birth? The speech will be full of many insights into this and other questions.

Speakers’ Profile:

Mr. Hirotada Ototake was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1976. His autobiographical Gotai Fumanzoku (“No One’s Perfect”) was published while he was a university student and became a bestseller. Upon graduating from the university, he worked as a sports journalist. He subsequently developed a keen interest in education, and was appointed to the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education in February 2013, after service as a part-time member of the Shinjuku City Board of Education with the status of “children’s life partner” and as a teacher at the Dai-Yon Suginami City Elementary School. Daijobu 3 Kumi (“You are All Right, Class 3”), a novel he wrote based on his experiences as a teacher, was made into a movie in which he himself also appears. A sequel novel was also published under the title Arigato 3 Kumi (“Thank You, Class 3”). His other works include Dakara, Boku wa Gakko e Yuku! (“That’s Why I Go to School!”), Oto Kotoba (“Oto’s Words”), and Ototake Sensei no 3tsu no Jugyo (“3 Lessons by Teacher Ototake”).

Note: With the exception of “No One’s Perfect,” all English titles are tentative translations for titles available only in Japanese.