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Tuesday, 29th May 2012
In General Japan News,
Japan's 100-year-old doctor given 'Green Ambassador' role
A celebrated doctor from Japan who still works as the director of a Tokyo hospital at the age of 100 has been named in a unique 'Green Ambassador' role by the government's agriculture, forestry and fisheries ministry.
Shigeaki Hinohara is director at St Luke's International Hospital, but is well known for his work teaching Japanese schoolchildren the value of life, the Daily Yomiuri reported.
The sage-like doctor was awarded with the Green Ambassador title following his creation of a musical based on the favourite American children's book The Fall Of Freddie The Leaf.
Since it first premiered in 2000, around 130,000 people in Japan have seen the play, which teaches the life and death cycle of leaves and the changing of the seasons.
Acknowledging the unique title that has been bestowed upon him, Mr Hinohara told the news provider: "I'd like to devote the rest of my life to protecting forests."
The remarkable physician has led an incredible life and puts his energy down to feeling good and not imposing too many rules - like bedtimes and lunchtimes - on the body.
Written by Susan Ballion
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