By Mitsuhiko Watanabe

Several schools and a education facility have been built in Cambodia, Nepal and the Philippines this year with donations from a Tokyo man who died from cancer in October last year.

Masao Hosono, 76, who could not attend high school due to his family's financial circumstances, became distressed on his sickbed when he learned of children in various Asian countries who were unable to receive an adequate education, people close to him said.

Before his death, Hosono donated about 90 million yen to ChildFund Japan, a nonprofit organization based in Suginami Ward, Tokyo, that supports Asian children who live in poverty.

According to Hosono's sister, Kayoko Hirai, 72, a housewife of Kita Ward, Tokyo, her brother wanted to continue on to high school, but was unable to do so as the family finances were tight.

He also was bullied by other children at school because he had cerebral palsy, she said.

Through news reports and other sources, he learned of the serious situation of children in Cambodia--who had had limbs blown off by land mines and were unable to receive a proper education.

He was said to have asked, "Is there nothing I can do for these children?"

As his wife, Kazuko, and only son, Hidemitsu, had died, Hosono decided to use his savings to provide financial assistance to the Cambodian children, and he approached ChildFund Japan.

In August last year, after repeated meetings with the NPO's staff, it was decided that his donations would be used to build two primary schools in Cambodia, an education facility targeted at minority children in the Philippines and five middle schools in Nepal.

However, about two months later, Hosono died. The philanthropist had lived in a facility for the elderly in Tokyo in the final years of his life.

Inside the schools, which have been completed one after another since May, metal plates were fixed with the Japanese inscription, "Kazu, Hide, Masa" (many, excel and grace).

These kanji characters were taken from the given names of his wife, his son and himself, he said, in the hope that "many people--or even one person--would excel and live gracefully."

Also on the plate are the words: "For a bright future, I sincerely hope for the advancement of the children's education." This fervent desire also was expressed by Hosono.

The NPO has received many messages from the children, including: "We're really glad to have a completed school with new and clean desks. We also like studying."

Hirai said, "If the children are able to study to their heart's content, my brother will be well satisfied."