KASUGA, Fukuoka -- Three Self-Defense Force members here have been given letters of appreciation by the local fire station for their swift and coordinated actions in saving a man's life.

According to the Kasuga, Onojo, Nakagawa fire station in Fukuoka Prefecture and the trio -- Tatsuo Ishii, 54, Kazutaka Honda, 50, and Naoki Hinokuchi, 28 -- the latter was on guard duty at the Air Self-Defense Force's Kasuga Air Base main gate at around 6:45 a.m. on Sept. 19, 2024, when a passerby approached him for help. When he arrived at the road on the north side of the base, Hinokuchi found a man lying on his back in the bushes along a fence.

Hinokuchi checked the man's vitals with Honda who had just arrived for work. The man's body temperature had dropped, and although they called out to him, there was no response. The pair loosened his clothing, rubbed his body to warm him up, and took turns performing cardiac compression. Meanwhile, Ishii, who had also rushed to the scene, helped guide the ambulance and checked the man's identity.

The man was confirmed to be a staff member in his 60s working at the air base. He has since recovered, and the three later received personal words of gratitude from him.

A representative from the fire station praised their efforts during the letter presentation ceremony on Jan. 22, stating, "In such a critical situation, your continuous actions saved a life."

Ishii commented, "We do various training exercises regularly, and I am glad we were able to put them to good use." Honda added, "This experience reinforced in me the importance of an initial response in the event of an emergency." Hinokuchi said, "I sincerely felt relieved that the man made a full recovery."

(Japanese original by Hiroaki Goto, Kyushu News Department)