Hello, my name is Makoto Habaguchi, Age 21, Japan.

I would like to say, that I am blessed to have been born and raised in such a wonderful, caring, understanding environment, as The Family.

The Family has thought me, the most important values in life, as a Christian!

Right at the very moment, I am involved in English Discussion Groups called L.O.V.E. Held for many University Students who study English, for a chance to use their English, and see how far they can express themselves.

Many of a time at these Discussions, we would discuss about their future, and the many problems Japan faces with its youth. The Problem with the Youth in Japan doesn’t come from lack of food or money! But because they lack affection and love, family bonds, and a home life.

This is a typical Average life story of the Japanese Youth;

Many of the Youth in Japan, have grown up very spoiled, because their parents gave them everything they wanted. Since the parents didn’t spend much time with their kids-the father was always working and hardly ever home, and the mother was busy, and the kids were always cramming in school anyway- the parents gave them things instead of love and affection. They’re actually now having nationwide campaigns to urge parents to hug their kids, because it just doesn’t come natural to a lot of parents!

So the poor kids grow up pampered but without much parental love and guidance and communication, have spent most of their waking hours in schools of various sorts, have been under tremendous stress and strain to do well and to make it even in the midst

Of an economic slump, have been surrounded by gadgets and the good life and the ultimate in materialism; have been subjected to all sorts of perversions and violence and gore in movies and comic books and computer games. After all that is it any wonder that they are having problems? There’s a huge increase in arson, assault, rape, mutilation, man-slaughter and even murder by young people, and the situations in some school yards is so bad that the media says that they’re becoming battle fields. Thousands of other kids are so depressed that they won’t even leave their rooms or their homes because they can’t cope with normal life. And normal life for other kids is to sell themselves to adults for sex so that they can afford to buy the latest designer clothes and gadgets that they want, or fit in to the latest fashion craze.

This is the sad story of the life of the youth of Japan today.

So yes! I can say I am very thankful and very blessed to have been raised in a Godly Christian manner, a lot of thanks to the Family!

Makoto Habaguchi is a second-generation member of the Family International.