The Opinion of the Famous Japanese Karate Athlete about the Armenian Genocide (photo)

Posted by hasmik on Nov 15, 2015 in Armenia, Relations

I had inexplicable feelings in Tsitsernakaberd Memorial and in the Museum of Genocide. I saw so many things, I heard such stories that I cannot still speak. I should only say that crimes taking place in the world should be accepted in order not to be repeated any more. I don’t know whether some day the Armenian Genocide will be recognized or no, but such crimes should never take place again.
Said to the correspondent of NEWS.am Sportin Tsitsernakaberd memorial the famous master of karate, 8^th Dan black belt, Japanese Masao Kavaso, who in these days is in Armenia by the invitation of the president of JKA Armenia Shahen Petrosyan.
The visit of Masao Kavaso to Armenia was in the frameworks of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Before the visit to Tsitsernakaberd Memorial the master of karate met the journalists.
”It’s already my 10th visit to Armenia. I follow the development of martial arts, karate in Armenia. Though this is one of my regular visits to Armenia, perhaps it is the most important one because this time I will visit Tsitsernakaberd memorial and give tribute to the memory of innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide.
I am sorry but I don’t know much about the Armeian Genocide, but I hope that such kind of crimes will never take place in the world. It’s important for me that my 10th visit coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. I have my own slogan concerning crimes: not any more, never. I want the crimes to be accepted and recoginzed in the world, in order not to be repeated any more”, said the sensei during the meeting with the journalists.

Masao Kavaso visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial, put flowers near the eternal fire. He walked in the Museum of Genocide and shot photos against the background of the mountain Ararat.
During the talk with the correspondent of NEWS.am Sport, the sensei told about his feelings and impressions. ”It is very difficult for me to talk, to comment at the moment. I received so much information, heard so much and saw such pictures. The feelings are contradictory. I am happy that I had the opportunity to get acquainted with the history of Armenians, Armenian Genocide, the stories of human lives. I wish these kind of crimes not to happen any more. My parents also suffered from great losses duirng the World War Second, and we are lucky to live in peace”, said Masao Kavaso.
To the question whether the Armenian Genocide will ever be recognized or no, Masao Kavaso found it difficult to answer: ” I cannot say, I don’t know. We are a totally different generation: people who have experienced the genocide–another generation. We must only prevent and accept those genocides, in order them not to be repeated any more”.
On November 15 at Yerevan House of Deaf and Mute Masao Kavaso will conduct a seminar with the participation of the Armenian karate athlets.