What photographer Nagi Yoshida learned in Africa: "What is more important than words"

"The secret to making life easier" learned from Africa: You don't have to think too far ahead

JAL: Even so, I imagine there were times when you ran into communication problems and clashes with the local people. How did you overcome these?

Yoshida: I have felt frustrated many times. When people I had just met threw sand at me, I felt repulsed and thought, "Why should they do this to me just because I have white skin?" But at the same time, I felt that this must be the kind of persecution and hatred they suffered from white people. I was so frustrated by the injustice and helplessness that I burst into tears. Then the people who had thrown sand at me ran away, looking awkward.

JAL: There are several episodes in your book that involve money.

Yoshida: If someone cheats me out of my money, I make sure to tell them I don't like it. It's important for them to understand that I'm usually kind, but sometimes I get angry. The Japanese aesthetic of "understanding without being told" doesn't work on Africans. If you don't cry when necessary and express yourself clearly, you won't be able to understand each other.

To build an equal relationship with them, I had to treat them the same way they treated me, and I could retaliate if they treated me unfairly. Once I was able to think like this, I started to feel better. No matter how much we fight, Africans have a tendency to make up by just putting their arms around each other, and there's no lingering feeling. So I realized that it was okay to be myself without having to pretend.

JAL: So you were able to learn a way of thinking that is different from Japanese people.

Yoshida: That's right. It's been seven or eight years since I started going to Africa, and I'm grateful that I've been able to grow. I often think frighteningly about what I would be like now if I hadn't traveled to Africa. I think that I inherited everything, including my way of thinking, from Africa. Japanese people tend to think too much about the future and end up being tied down. But they don't think about the future. Even if we get into an argument, within five minutes, we'll say, "Let's get along already! Let's think about the difficult things again tomorrow" (laughs). I learned a new, optimistic way of thinking, and it helped reduce the stress of living in Japan.

If you want to build friendly relationships, "don't be overly cautious"

JAL: What is the appeal of traveling to the same place multiple times, like Africa for you?

Yoshida: At first, I wanted to visit all 54 African countries, but that's not necessarily the case now. My motivation is more to go back and show my cheerful face to the people I met during my travels who look up to me like a daughter or sister. We live in an age where we can connect with anyone through social media, but the people I care about live far away from the internet. I always think that I need to go back regularly and show my mother and younger siblings in Africa that I'm doing well.

JAL: Is there anything we should keep in mind when traveling to Africa?

Yoshida: This may seem surprising, but keeping yourself well-groomed is key. Our guide told us that "looking nice will protect you, because Africans, both men and women, like beautiful people." Of course, it's not okay to be flashy and wear expensive precious metals and jewelry, but if you dress nicely and put on proper makeup, people might ask you questions like, "Where did you get your nails done?" or "What's that unusual design in your clothes?", which can lead to interactions with local people.

Also, there are good and bad guides, but in the beginning it's all luck. If you find someone you get along with, exchanging contact information and taking the next step may be the key to a successful trip. Also, don't be too nervous just because you're in Africa. Local people are very sensitive to whether travelers are wary of them. It's difficult for anyone to build a friendly relationship with someone if they feel they are "warned." There are many different opinions, but I personally think that being somewhat vulnerable and affable is the key to protection.

JAL: How do you want to continue your activities in the future?

Yoshida: I continue taking photos because I want Japanese people to know at least a little about the good things about Africa, but I don't really think about the future. Ever since my dream of becoming a Maasai was shattered, I've never had a goal of becoming something. I don't like having a vision in mind and then getting depressed when things don't go as planned.

However, it is all thanks to Africans that I have been able to live as a person and a photographer, and that my life has become enjoyable. So I vaguely think it would be nice to be able to give back in some way. Just as the people of Africa don't seem to care about tomorrow, I would like to move forward without having any visions or goals for the distant future, and just follow my curiosity.

Yoshida Nagi
Photographer born in 1986. Ever since childhood, he had a strong admiration for Africans and believed that "when I grow up, I can look like them," but at the age of 10, his parents confronted him with the reality that he was Japanese, and he was devastated. After that, he taught himself photography, and in 2009, he traveled to Africa alone to photograph and exhibit minority groups around the world, including those in Africa. His unique colors and way of life have been highly praised, and he has appeared on TV, magazines, and other media. In 2017, he was selected by Nikkei Business magazine as one of the "100 People Who Will Create the Future." In the same year, he received the Kodansha Culture Award (photography category). His recent works include the photo book "SURI COLLECTION" (Iroha Publishing) and the travelogue "Yoshida, Naked in Africa" (Fusosha), which compiles many episodes he encountered while traveling in Africa.