I began taking photographs at the age of 13. I had suffered from spinal tuberculosis since I was two months old.
 
After that, my theme in photography was HOPE.
 
Because of the tuberculosis I had suffered from since such a young age, I had experienced a great deal of despair and isolation.
 
A few years before I turned 20, my doctor told me that, if I was careful, I could go on to live a strong and healthy life.
 
I moved to London at 23 to start my life anew and pursue my passion for photography. I stayed there for about ten years.
 
I was quite poor when I arrived in London and spent much of my time lodging in friends' flats.
 
While living there, I happened to meet many interesting people, including musicians. For example, I met a guy called George in a flat on Goodge Street, who later turned out to be Boy George...
 
I was lucky enough to encounter Joe Strummer of The Clash on the London Underground.
 
I turned to him and asked whether he would be kind enough to let me take some photographs of him. He replied, “You can click away at whatever you want — that's punk.”
 
Those words became the title of this book because they resonated with me, and I hope they give others courage, energy and HOPE.
 
Towards the end of my time in LONDON, I was fortunate enough to get some work for Japanese music magazines and record companies.
 
This allowed me to photograph more musicians and meet many more people.
 
These photo sessions may not have been important to them, but they remained sincere and offered generous comments, which are reflected in the photographs I took.
 
I truly want to thank them all for the contributions that made my life in London so memorable.