Hachikō

Hachikō (ハチ公; mid-November 1923 – March 8, 1935) was an Akita dog remembered for his strong dedication to his owner, Hidesaburō Ueno, for whom he continued to wait for almost ten years following Ueno's death in 1925.

Hachikō was born in mid-November 1923, on a farm near Ōdate, Akita Prefecture, Japan. In 1924, Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor at the Tokyo Imperial University, brought him to live in Shibuya, Tokyo, as his pet. Hachikō met Ueno at Shibuya Station every day after his commute home. This continued until May 21, 1925, when Ueno died of a cerebral aneurysm infarction while at work. From then until his death on March 8, 1935, Hachikō returned to Shibuya Station almost every day to await Ueno's return.

After Ueno's death, Hachikō was treated very poorly by most people at Shibuya Station. This did not deter him. After he became nationally known, his story of fidelity and loyalty grew and he came to be treated better. He also had significant health problems his entire life. After he became known internationally, his story led to Helen Keller bringing the first Akita to America. Since his death, he continues to be remembered worldwide in popular culture with statues, movies and books. Over time, Hachikō's story was widely circulated in Japanese media and came to be interpreted as a cultural symbol of loyalty and devotion, a framing that has shaped his legacy in Japan and abroad.