Japanese engineer heads to Afghanistan to finish slain doctor’s water project

A retired Japanese engineer has traveled to Afghanistan to help revive and continue the humanitarian work of Tetsu Nakamura, a doctor who was killed four years ago, Japanese media reported.

Nakamura was known for his efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan, turning barren land into lush fields while treating locals suffering from conflict, poverty and disease, Asahi Shimbun reported.

His land hydration project in Afghanistan was nearly halted following his death in an ambush on Dec. 4, 2019, at age 73.

But Norio Owa, 73, and others have continued Nakamura’s project of supplying water and restoring greenery to arid areas of Afghanistan.

“We will be sharing and making full use of our experiences and know-how with local specialists, though we are no comparison to Dr. Nakamura in terms of ability to act and love others,” Owa said.

In September, Owa arrived at the construction site of an irrigation canal in eastern Afghanistan, where a 4.3-kilometer-long water conduit was being set up on a mountain slope.

For nearly four years, Owa has been an engineering member of Peshawar-kai, a Fukuoka-based nongovernmental group.

Nakamura had headed the group’s local operation in Afghanistan.

“I couldn’t believe (Nakamura) designed such a huge project all by himself,” Owa said.

He wanted to offer his help to Nakamura after retirement, but the humanitarian doctor was killed in Afghanistan before Owa could meet him.