*Information was verified and partially updated on February 20, 2026.*
Izumi Tomohiro, who suffered a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 34 and became hemiplegic, has since returned to work and is actively involved in hosting chat meetings for those affected and sharing his experiences on social media.
This time, we asked him about his approach to dealing with illness, his journey to reintegration into society, and his future outlook.
1. Who is Izumi Tomohiro?
1-1. Passion for Architecture and Career as a Professional
[Interviewer (Writer): Akaishi / Interviewee: Izumi Tomohiro]
Akaishi: What were you like as a child?
Izumi: I was a quiet child.
Until middle school, I attended a rural school, but when I entered high school near Nagoya Station, I met urban people and started to develop an interest in fashion and sneakers.
Akaishi: What was your dream back then?
Izumi: I wanted to become a designer.
I went on to study architecture at university, but once I started studying, I realized that design wasn't for me. I felt like I was just imitating magazines and had nothing of my own.
However, I still loved architecture, so I joined a general contractor and chose to work on building structures.
The company also handled architectural design, and it was the same company that built the interior shops I frequently visited during my university days. I was drawn to the idea of being involved with buildings.
Akaishi: Tell us about your career as a professional.
Izumi: I started working as a site supervisor and built a 15-year career. I was involved in the construction of buildings such as pharmacies, home centers, and office buildings.
1-2. The Sudden Cerebral Hemorrhage and Awakening from a Two-Week Coma
Akaishi: Can you tell us about the circumstances of your cerebral hemorrhage?
Izumi: Actually, I collapsed twice.
The first time was when I was 34, playing in a park with my girlfriend at the time when I suddenly lost strength and couldn't stand.
After undergoing tests at the hospital, I was diagnosed with a cerebral infarction and a rare disease called "moyamoya disease."
Moyamoya disease is a condition where the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain become blocked. When blood flow is insufficient, the body creates its own capillaries, but these are prone to blockage and rupture.
There were no aftereffects from the first incident, but since the moyamoya disease was progressing, I underwent bypass surgery. The surgery was successful, and my health gradually improved over time.
However, three months after the surgery, I suddenly collapsed in a restroom after going to karaoke with friends and was in a coma for two weeks.
This was the cerebral hemorrhage.
Akaishi: Do you remember when you regained consciousness?
Izumi: I remember going to the restroom, but my memory is vague after that.
When I regained consciousness, I was wearing mittens and was tied to the bed. At first, I thought, "I need to escape from here," but in reality, my body couldn't move at all.
1-3. Struggles During Hospitalization
Izumi: The acute phase of hospitalization was really tough.
I had to wear diapers, had a catheter inserted, and was given laxatives with instructions to "use the restroom as is." It was really hard to wear diapers at 34.
Moreover, I went from being able to do anything to being unable to do anything.
I was taken to the bath on a stretcher and had my body washed. Such experiences were mentally challenging.
Akaishi: How long were you hospitalized?
Izumi: Including rehabilitation, I was hospitalized for a total of about five months. I spent the first month in the acute phase and then focused on rehabilitation for the next four months.
2. The Path to Social Reintegration
2-1. Facing the Reality of an Immobile Body
Akaishi: How did you come to terms with the fact that your body couldn't move?
Izumi: In rehabilitation, I practiced walking, but even when instructed, I couldn't move my body at all and wondered, "How did I use to walk?"
Even in a wheelchair, I lacked core strength, and sometimes I would fall to the left side when going to the restroom.
It was shocking, but from my experience as a site supervisor, I always thought, "If there's something I can't do, think about how to make it work," so I was able to take a positive approach, thinking, "If my body doesn't move, I'll work hard on rehabilitation."
From a past experience of cutting my right Achilles tendon, I also had confidence that I could recover if I committed to rehabilitation.
I never despaired or cried, and I don't remember constantly worrying about my illness while hospitalized.
2-2. Experience at a Vocational Rehabilitation Facility
Izumi: After being discharged from the rehabilitation hospital, I tended to stay at home and did nothing. During that time, the hospital recommended that I attend a vocational rehabilitation facility.
It forced me to leave the house, and meeting people of the same age who had experienced strokes and sharing our situations was a great support.
Akaishi: What did you do at the vocational rehabilitation facility?
Izumi: I did basic training for social reintegration, such as data entry in Excel and spot-the-difference exercises. Initially, I couldn't do much and lost confidence, but after 10 months of training, I gradually regained myself.
Also, by attending the vocational rehabilitation facility, I developed a weekend routine of going out for drinks with friends on Fridays, which helped me feel connected to society.
3. Returning to Work and New Challenges
3-1. Honestly Communicating "What I Can't Do"
Izumi: To prepare for returning to work, I first communicated all my symptoms to the company.
I explained my attention deficits, frequent oversights, and inability to multitask, and the company suggested tasks they thought I could handle, which I trained for.
With the guidance of an instructor, I created a procedure manual and was given the opportunity to test whether I could perform those tasks at the company. It went well, so after a month of unpaid "trial work," I was officially reinstated.
Akaishi: How was it after returning to work?
Izumi: After returning, I continued working within my capabilities. Currently, I can't work as a site supervisor, so I handle tasks like document checks and training younger staff using a computer.
3-2. "Chat Meetings" Bringing Together People from Across the Country
Akaishi: What prompted you to start sharing on social media?
Izumi: While hospitalized, I gathered information on my smartphone, but there was almost no information from the perspective of those affected, such as how to use an escalator or how to bathe. There was no information on how to reintegrate into society or work.
Since it didn't exist, I decided to share the information I wanted myself, based on my own experiences.
Initially, I was only on YouTube, and not many people watched, but at one point, a woman I met on a dating app told me, "You're saying really great things, so you should share them with more people."
I replied, "But I can't edit, and I don't know what to convey," to which she suggested, "Then let's have a conversation, and I'll turn the good parts into a script." She then started helping with editing short videos, which significantly changed my social media presence.
As a result, my Instagram followers grew to over 20,000. Her presence has been a tremendous help.
Akaishi: What activities are you currently involved in?
Izumi: Besides my main job, I work weekends at a café called Dream and host "chat meetings" once or twice a month.
Through social media, participants come from all over the country, including Tokyo, Okayama, and Hiroshima.
I started these chat meetings hoping they would encourage people with illnesses or disabilities to leave their homes. By connecting participants and forming a community, I aim to promote social participation.
4. If You Speak Your Desires, They Can Become Reality
Akaishi: Tell us about your future goals.
Izumi: I want to host chat meetings nationwide and connect more people in similar situations.
By visiting different places, I hope to create opportunities for participants to connect and for communities to grow.
Starting in May this year, I plan to officially launch these activities, considering the use of grants.
Akaishi: Lastly, do you have a message for those hesitant to take the first step?
Izumi: First, I want you to speak out about what you want to do.
Don't just give up in your head. You might be told it's impossible, but value your own thoughts over the words of those who have never tried or assume it's impossible.
For example, when I said I wanted to wear sneakers, I was told, "It's impossible because your paralysis is severe." But by not giving up and continuing rehabilitation, I can now wear sneakers.
By verbalizing what you want to do and sharing it with those around you, you move closer to making it a reality.
Becoming disabled later in life, I sometimes compare myself to my past self, but comparing to the past only brings pain. If you must compare, look at yourself right after your collapse and compare it to now. You'll surely feel your growth.
5. Conclusion
From Izumi's interview, we feel the strength to perceive challenges positively and move forward.
Illness and disability are "constants" that cannot be changed, but the idea of maximizing the "variables" of one's potential can be a significant insight.
Additionally, his efforts to connect people in similar situations based on his experiences contribute to raising awareness of barrier-free society as a whole.
Izumi's words, "Speak your desires" and "Compare not with the past but with right after the collapse," are messages that encourage everyone at a crossroads in life, regardless of disability.
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Editor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasuyo_tomita/
Izumi Tomohiro's Book: I Became Hemiplegic from a Cerebral Hemorrhage at 34 (UTSUWA Publishing)
