My uncle

I visited my 70-year-old uncle, who lives on a Japanese island and works as a physician. In his clinic, there were nurses whom I had known since I was a child, and we were very excited to see each other.

I entered the consultation room and met my uncle for the first time in three years. He looked well, though he had been unwell and recently had several operations on his knee joints. I sat down on the patient’s seat and we started talking like a doctor and patient. He told me about some of his stories from his visit to England a long time ago.

He has a sensitive, gentle personality and usually speaks in a soft, serene voice. He told me not to be harsh to people and to just be kind to others. I felt that this might be the key to being a good primary care doctor in a community. I enjoyed the conversation with him and promised to come back again.

It is always wonderful to see that my family are all fine and to recognise that there is a home to go back to.