2523 Respecting Individual Strengths: Reflections on Eiji’s Path to Music and Achievement

 

A proud moment as my son’s band Mecha Bijin wins the Senko Riot Grand Prix — proof that passion and persistence lead to success. 

https://www.tfm.co.jp/lock/riot/

It has been almost a month since I last updated this blog — I was caught up in work and daily matters. Today, however, I want to dedicate this entry to my younger son, Eiji, and share his remarkable milestone.

On August 7th, his music group Mecha Bijin won the Senko Riot Grand Prix, a nationwide music competition for teenagers with more than 3,000 participating bands. To become the champion among such fierce competition is truly an extraordinary accomplishment. Eiji is the drummer of the group, a passion he has pursued since junior high school.

Our two sons have always taken very different paths.

• My elder son, Kansai, graduated from a prestigious preparatory junior high school, studied abroad in India at the age of 17, and is now immersed in liberal arts studies in Akita, living out his ideal student life.

• Eiji, on the other hand, decided early on to become a musician, leaving conventional schooling behind to attend a music academy.

I must admit, there were times when Eiji struggled, especially when comparing himself to his brother’s more traditional achievements. Yet what makes me proud today is not only his award, but the fact that he found his own career path and is realizing his dream on his own terms.

Behind this success lies an incredible amount of effort: countless hours of daily practice (sometimes more than 14 hours), supported by the professional electronic drum set we provided. He even gave up all his anime goods — once his favorite — to dedicate himself fully to drumming. Through his academy, his skills sharpened, his network expanded, and although he was never the most sociable, he never hesitated when it came to pursuing what he loves.

This achievement reaffirms my belief that a person’s true ability and results are maximized when they pursue their own strengths and passions. It may sometimes look like a detour, but respecting one’s unique preferences is, in my view, the surest path to success and happiness.

One regret remains: on that very day, August 7th, I was at my flat in Osaka and could not attend the event in person. Perhaps my biggest blunder of 2025… but even so, my pride in Eiji’s achievement is immeasurable.