Japanese Son Reunites with Iranian Father After 28 Years

According to an exclusive report by Rokna’s correspondent, a video recently went viral across social media platforms showing a young Japanese man who, after 28 years, was finally able to find his Iranian father. He traveled to Iran, held a wedding ceremony, and spent several joyous and emotional days with his paternal family. The video captures Kakasaki, standing beside his father along with his wife and five-month-old daughter, taking a family photo — a memory he planned to show his mother and maternal relatives upon returning to Japan.

In an in-depth interview with Kakasaki, he shared details of his challenging life. His childhood was difficult, and it wasn’t until he was 16 or 17 that his mother first showed him a photo of his father’s Iranian visa. That image sparked something deep inside him — the desire to uncover his true identity and find his father.

Over the years, Kakasaki traveled to Iran twice, but without knowing his grandfather’s name, he could not track down his father. Nevertheless, he never gave up. He spent countless days and nights searching, even using social media to help with his quest. In an extraordinary twist of fate, a new neighbor in Japan — a long-time friend of his father — recognized Kakasaki.

The neighbor, named Reza, quickly realized that Kakasaki was the long-lost son of his old friend, Mohammad Ramazani. Mr. Ramazani, who had returned to Iran many years ago, had never stopped searching for his son in Japan. Now married with four children and two grandchildren, he would still give travelers going to Japan the address of his former wife's home, hoping someone might find a clue about his missing family.

A Life-Changing Encounter

After nearly three decades of separation, Kakasaki and his father, Mohammad Ramazani, were finally reunited. Their emotional meeting bridged the years of distance and formed a bond built on deep love and connection. Kakasaki, now a family man, traveled to Iran with his wife and infant daughter, spending several weeks living with his paternal relatives. Together, they visited cities including Mashhad, Tabriz, Hamedan, and Tehran, creating unforgettable memories.

Now, the time has come for Kakasaki to return to Japan. But this time, he leaves with a heart full of love, sweet memories, and roots that now firmly connect him to his past and heritage.

Mohammad Ramazani’s Story — A Father’s Determined Search

“Twenty-eight years ago, I traveled to Japan for carpentry work. After an accident there, I met a Japanese woman. We lived together for three years, and God blessed us with a son.

“When I went to the Japanese police to register my son, something unexpected happened. I was arrested for lacking a visa and deported to Iran.

“From the moment I returned, I began looking for my son. I sought help from many intermediaries and tried repeatedly, but I was never successful.

“Recently, everything changed. One day, as I returned from a mourning ceremony, I prayed to God from the bottom of my heart to help me find my family. You won’t believe it — minutes later, my phone rang. A friend from Japan called and said he had found my son.

“Moments later, my son called me himself. When I heard his voice, it was as if the entire world had been given back to me. Just hours later, he arrived in Iran, and for the first time, I saw him in person.

“Now, I call him by the Iranian name ‘Ali’ — the name I had chosen for him myself. My son is married and has a five-month-old daughter. He stayed in Iran for 25 days, visited Hamedan and Tabriz, and returned to Japan on a Saturday.

“I’m married here in Iran and have four children. My wife is a kind woman and has always known about my search for my Japanese family. I am incredibly happy now that I’ve found my son.

“I want to officially register Kakasaki’s name in my identification documents so this bond will be preserved forever.”

The Son’s Account — A Lifelong Search for Identity

When did you first hear about your father and learn his name from your mother?
I believe I was about 13 or 14 when my mother first spoke about my Iranian father and showed me documents and a photo of him.

When did you begin searching for your father?
I started around the age of 18.

What methods did you use to find him?
I did everything I could. I even searched through social media, but nothing came up. I once traveled to Iran, but because there were many people with the same name as my father and I didn’t know my grandfather’s name, I couldn’t find him and had to return to Japan. But something interesting happened later — one of our neighbors, who turned out to be my father’s friend, helped us reconnect.

How do you feel now that you’ve found your father?
I’m very happy. Although the journey was hard, the result has brought me immense joy.

Will you tell your family in Japan about this once you return?
Yes, I absolutely will share this with my family.

Why did you choose the name Ali as your Iranian name?
I chose the name Ali because my mother once told me that my father wanted to name me that. As I grew older, I learned that Ali is a symbol of virtue and kindness. That made me feel strongly connected to the name.

What is your occupation?
I am a member of my city’s municipal council in Japan.

We’ve heard you’re planning to build relations with the city council in Eslamshahr, Iran. Is that true?
Yes, I plan to create a bridge between my city and Eslamshahr to facilitate smoother visa processes and cultural exchange between our people.

What memory will you carry from Iran?
The people of Iran are vibrant and full of life. The perception that Iran is always at war is completely false. I experienced the happiest days of my life here, and I will share this experience with everyone back home.