I visited the U.S. to have an interview with witnesses about the balloon bombs that were used by the former Japanese military to attack the North American continent during World War II. I also investigated the place where the bombs landed and took photos of some of the landing sites. This visit allowed me to take further photos of the bombing site and restart my research and creative work on balloon bombs, which had been stagnant for a year and a half.

I had hoped to visit Myanmar (Burma) for a long time, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a coup d’etat, it was impossible to travel there in 2021. But I was able to conduct preparatory research by viewing and taking photos of materials housed in the British National Archives. I also gave a presentation at the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation’s Japan House in London at the end of my stay. This gave me an opportunity to take photos, and through the photos I took reconfirm my past activities and the consistent theme of my research.

Overall, these visits gave me a direct opportunity to reflect on the significance of spatially separated places and temporally separated memories.

Repeated self-quarantine and long-distance travel took a heavy financial and physical burden on me. However, because of this, I felt so grateful for the generous help I received everywhere I went. My interaction with the local people will linger in my memories.