1. Overview
Tadaichi Hirakawa (平川 唯一Hirakawa TadaichiJapanese, February 13, 1902 - August 25, 1993) was a pioneering Japanese broadcaster and radio instructor who revolutionized English language education in post-war Japan. Known affectionately by his listeners as "Uncle Come Come" (カムカムおじさんKamukamu OjisanJapanese), he gained immense popularity for his influential NHK radio program, "English Conversation" (英語会話EikaiwaJapanese), which ran from 1946 to 1951 and was widely known as "Come Come English." Hirakawa, a native of Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, had previously studied extensively in the United States before World War II. His significant contributions extended to his role as a chief international newscaster for NHK during the war, famously translating and broadcasting Emperor Hirohito's surrender speech into English to the world. His life and work were later immortalized in the 2021 NHK television drama, Come Come Everybody.
2. Early life and education
Tadaichi Hirakawa's formative years were spent in rural Japan before he embarked on a transformative journey to the United States for his education.
2.1. Birth and childhood
Hirakawa was born on February 13, 1902, in Tsugawa Village (now part of Takahashi City), Okayama Prefecture, Japan. He was the second son in a farming family. After completing the upper second grade of Tsugawa Elementary School in 1916, he spent some time assisting with his family's farm work.
2.2. Education in the United States
In 1919, at the age of 17, Hirakawa made the momentous decision to move to the United States, following his father and brothers who had been working there for several years as migrant laborers. He arrived with no prior knowledge of English, not even the ABCs. His early experiences in the U.S. included approximately six months of work as a railroad construction laborer in Portland, Oregon, followed by another six months as a clerk at a Japanese store in Seattle, Washington.
Later in 1919, seeking to immerse himself in English, the 17-year-old Hirakawa moved into the home of an American family in a high-class residential area, working as a "school boy" or live-in student. He enrolled in an elementary school, where he demonstrated exceptional academic aptitude by skipping grades and completing his studies in just three years. He then attended Broadway High School (now Seattle Central College), graduating in four years. Hirakawa continued his higher education at the University of Washington, initially majoring in physics before changing his focus to theater. He graduated summa cum laude from the theater department with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1931. Reflecting on his rigorous twelve years of study in the United States, Hirakawa famously remarked that, for someone who had experienced the hardships of a farmer in his childhood, the student life-being able to attend school during the day, clean his room upon return, and study freely at night after dinner-felt "more of an easy life than a hard life."
3. Career in the United States
After completing his university education, Tadaichi Hirakawa embarked on a diverse professional career in the United States, blending his theatrical background with cultural and community work.
3.1. Pastor and cultural work
Following his graduation from the University of Washington, Hirakawa became an associate pastor at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, located at 961 S. Mariposa Avenue in Los Angeles. In this role, he dedicated his efforts to fostering cultural exchange and understanding between the Japanese and American communities. It was at this church that he met Yone Takita, a native of Kanda, Tokyo, whom he married in 1935.
3.2. Acting career
During his time in Los Angeles, Hirakawa also pursued an acting career under the stage name Joe Hirakawa. He appeared in several Hollywood films, including the 1932 Marion Gering-directed Madame Butterfly and the 1935 Elmer Clifton-directed The Mystery of Diamond Island (originally titled Rip Roaring Riley). Additionally, he performed at the Pasadena Community Playhouse, now known as the Pasadena Playhouse.
4. Career in Japan
Upon his return to Japan, Hirakawa quickly established himself as a prominent figure in broadcasting, contributing significantly to both wartime communications and post-war public discourse.
4.1. NHK newscaster and wartime role
In 1936, Hirakawa returned to Japan and successfully applied for a position as an English-language newscaster at NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation). He worked for eight years, serving as the chief newscaster of international broadcasts until his retirement at the end of September 1945. During World War II, he played a role in the war effort, specifically engaging in anti-war propaganda efforts targeting American soldiers as the head of the broadcast team within the America Division (Division of the U.S. Counterparts).
4.2. Translation of surrender broadcast
A pivotal moment in Hirakawa's career came at the conclusion of World War II. He was entrusted with the critical task of translating Emperor Hirohito's Imperial Rescript on Surrender (玉音放送Gyokuon-hōsōJapanese) into English. Following the translation, Hirakawa personally read the English version of the surrender broadcast to the world via NHK International Broadcast, which is now known as NHK World-Japan. The English translation of the imperial rescript notably included the phrase, "The war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage," a significant statement regarding the state of the conflict.
5. "Come Come English" and English education
Tadaichi Hirakawa's post-war career was largely defined by his pioneering work in English language education, particularly through his immensely popular radio program that initiated a widespread learning boom across Japan.
5.1. Program development and popularity
From February 1, 1946, until February 9, 1951, for a period of five years, Hirakawa hosted the 15-minute "English Conversation" program on NHK's First Broadcasting System, aired daily at 6 p.m. This program quickly became a national phenomenon and was widely known as "Come Come English." Hirakawa dedicated himself fully to the program, meticulously preparing weekly skits, often working late into the night. These short plays, which depicted the daily conversations of average Japanese families, were designed to convey "family scenes" that resonated with the sentiments of the post-war Japanese public. He referred to this approach as "English play" (英語遊びEigo asobiJapanese). Unlike traditional language courses often taught by university academics as a sideline, "English Conversation" was Hirakawa's primary professional focus. The program's immense popularity is evidenced by the staggering total of 500,000 fan letters he received, making him a central figure in igniting Japan's post-war English learning boom. His endearing presence and the program's title led to his popular nickname, "Uncle Come Come" (カムカムおじさんKamukamu OjisanJapanese).
5.2. Theme song and educational impact
Hirakawa composed the lyrics for the program's iconic theme song, "Come, Come, Everybody," which quickly became a national favorite. The melody was based on the popular Japanese children's song, "Shōjōji no Tanuki Bayashi" (証城寺の狸囃子Shōjōji no Tanuki BayashiJapanese). His teaching philosophy, sometimes referred to as the "baby imitation method" (赤ちゃん口まね方式Akachan Kuchimane HōshikiJapanese), emphasized learning through natural family conversations and imitation, much like a child acquires their native language. This contrasted sharply with the grammar-focused, text-heavy methods prevalent in traditional school English and exam preparation. Hirakawa believed that just as children learn their native language by listening and imitating family conversations before learning to read or spell, English learners should prioritize speaking. His frequent motto was, "Anyone can speak English by happily imitating English sentences." This approach, prioritizing auditory learning and verbal communication, was effectively a "speech method" (音声方式Onsei HōshikiJapanese) and a "mother tongue method" (母語方式Bogo HōshikiJapanese). His innovative method of creating English texts directly from conversational English continues to influence modern English language instruction in Japan, evident in programs such as "NHK Radio English Conversation English Grammar Perfect Lecture," "One Hundred Million People's English Grammar," and "True English Grammar Encyclopedia."
6. Later broadcasting and teaching activities
Following his departure from NHK, Tadaichi Hirakawa continued to exert significant influence on broadcasting and English education through various ventures.
6.1. Post-NHK broadcasting
After concluding his tenure as an instructor for NHK's "English Conversation" program, Hirakawa continued to host "Come Come English" on other prominent radio stations. From December 25, 1951, until July 1955, he broadcast his English conversation lectures on Radio Tokyo (now TBS Radio) and Nippon Cultural Broadcasting (文化放送Bunka HōsōJapanese). Following this, he established the "Come Come Club" at his home in Setagaya, Tokyo, where he further promoted his "chatting English" approach to language learning. He also appeared as an actor in the 1951 Japan-US co-production film Unmei (運命FateJapanese), distributed by Toho, in which he played a character named Makita.
6.2. Pacific Television
At the end of 1957, Hirakawa was invited to join Pacific Television (太平洋テレビジョンTaiheiyō TerebijonJapanese). He initially served as the head of the translation department before being promoted to Vice President of the station, further solidifying his career in media.
7. Teaching philosophy and methods
Tadaichi Hirakawa's pedagogical approach was distinctive, emphasizing practical communication and pronunciation over conventional grammar-focused methods.
7.1. Core principles
Hirakawa's teaching was rooted in the idea of learning English through natural, everyday family conversations and direct imitation, much like a child acquires their native language. He contrasted this with the traditional school-based English education that often prioritized grammar rules and written text. His core belief, encapsulated by his frequent saying, "Anyone can speak English by happily imitating English sentences," was that speaking should precede formal grammatical understanding. This "baby imitation method" (赤ちゃん口まね方式Akachan Kuchimane HōshikiJapanese) was essentially an "audio-lingual method" (音声方式Onsei HōshikiJapanese) and a "mother tongue method" (母語方式Bogo HōshikiJapanese), focusing on oral proficiency and practical application.
7.2. Pronunciation aids
A notable innovation in Hirakawa's method was his pioneering use of Japanese `furigana` (振り仮名furiganaJapanese) for pronunciation guidance in his radio lesson texts. He became known as the inventor of a phonetic notation system that used Japanese katakana to represent the sounds of English. In his 1981 publication, `Minna no Come Come Eigo`, he further refined this system, devising new phonetic notations specifically for conversational pronunciation. This allowed Japanese learners, even those unfamiliar with phonetic symbols, to approximate English sounds more easily.
8. Publications and works
Tadaichi Hirakawa authored and contributed to several significant publications that disseminated his English teaching methods and solidified his legacy.
- Kono Jigoku mo Aisureba Koso (この地獄も愛すればこそThis Hell, If Only I Love ItJapanese), by Barton Crane, translated by Hirakawa, published by Metro Publishing in 1948.
- Ikita Eikaiwa Vol. 1 (生きた英会話 第1巻Living English Conversation Vol. 1Japanese), published by Come Come Center in March 1958. This was a private publication that compiled 40 weeks of his English conversation radio texts.
- Minna no Come Come Eigo (みんなのカムカム英語Come Come English for EverybodyJapanese), published by Mainichi Shimbunsha in April 1981. This work included 20 weeks of his radio texts, an "Applied" section and "Features of Come Come English" edited by Shōhachi Fukuda. It notably came with two 60-minute cassette tapes featuring Hirakawa's own voice reading the text.
- Come Come English (カムカム英語Kamukamu EigoJapanese), a reprinted edition of NHK radio English conversation texts, published by Meicho Fukyu-kai in February 1986. This comprehensive reprint included a separate volume, two replicated original texts from February 1946 and November 1948, and a cassette tape. The separate volume contained Hirakawa's brief biography, his personal essay "My Story," and articles such as "Anyone can speak enjoyable English" and "Pronunciation of living conversational English," alongside a piece by Shōhachi Fukuda titled "Significance of Come Come Broadcasting." The cassette tape featured archived NHK broadcasts, including special programs with foreign speakers from December 10, 1948, and February 18, 1949, as well as five weeks of newly recorded text in Hirakawa's voice.
9. Personal life and family
Tadaichi Hirakawa's personal life was intertwined with his professional journey, marked by his family and hobbies. His wife was Yone (née Takita), originally from Kanda, Tokyo, whom he met and married in Los Angeles in 1935. They had two sons and two daughters.
Their eldest son, Sumio (1936-2018), was born in Los Angeles, California. He attended Everett High School in Everett, Washington, and went on to graduate from the University of Washington and New York University Law School. He later served as a manager for the Seattle Branch of Mitsubishi Bank.
His second son, Kiyoshi (born 1941), was born in Setagaya, Tokyo. Kiyoshi is a renowned ukulele player and has also distinguished himself as an English conversation instructor. He is the author of a biography of his father, Come Come Everybody: The Era of Tadaichi Hirakawa and "Radio English Conversation" (カムカムエヴリバディ: 平川唯一と「ラジオ英語会話」の時代Kamukamu Evuribadi: Hirakawa Tadaichi to "Rajio Eikaiwa" no JidaiJapanese), published in 1995.
Hirakawa's youngest daughter, Mary Mariko Ohno, is a respected teacher of traditional Japanese music, specializing in `naga-uta shamisen` (長唄三味線naga-uta shamisenJapanese) and dance. She is the founder and owner of Kabuki Academy, an American branch of the Kine-ie school in Tokyo, Japan. Ohno is recognized for her expertise in Japanese traditional arts, with students spanning the globe, including across the United States and Europe.
Outside of his work, Hirakawa was an avid tennis player and a member of the Tokyo Lawn Tennis Club in Azabu, Minato. He had a particular fondness for his 1952 British-made Morris Minor compact car. He personally maintained the vehicle, from replacing the seats to painting it himself, and drove it for 35 years until he was 85 years old. After his death, the car became part of the collection at the Kawaguchiko Motor Museum.
10. Awards and recognition
Tadaichi Hirakawa received formal honors acknowledging his significant contributions to Japanese society and English education. In 1976, he was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fifth Class (勲五等双光旭日章Kun Gotō Sōkō Kyokujitsu ShōJapanese), as part of the Spring Honors. In 1992, the Japan Association of College English Teachers (JACET), under chairman Ikuo Koike, presented him with a Special Lifetime Achievement Award.
11. Legacy and impact
Tadaichi Hirakawa's influence extended far beyond his broadcasting career, profoundly shaping English language education and leaving a lasting cultural imprint on post-war Japan.
11.1. Influence on English education
Although not a professional English educator in the traditional sense, Hirakawa's profound understanding of phonetics, coupled with his theater training and experience as an announcer, enabled him to make exceptional contributions to the widespread adoption of English in Japan. His teaching methods, particularly the "baby imitation method" (赤ちゃん口まね方式Akachan Kuchimane HōshikiJapanese), directly challenged the prevailing grammar-focused, text-based school English prevalent at the time. He believed in the efficacy of his "family English" approach, which prioritized listening and speaking over rote memorization of grammar rules. Educators like Shōhachi Fukuda, a professor at Kumamoto University who collaborated with Hirakawa on later publications, lauded his "family English" concept and advocated for a shift in school English education towards an imitation-based approach, directly inspired by Hirakawa's success. The fundamental principle of building English texts from conversational English, which Hirakawa championed, continues to be a cornerstone of modern English language teaching in Japan.
11.2. Cultural and societal impact
Hirakawa's "Come Come English" program played a crucial role in the cultural revival of post-war Japan, providing both practical language skills and a sense of hope and connection to the wider world. His engaging approach and the program's theme song fostered a national enthusiasm for English learning. His lasting impact was eloquently captured by Akio Morita, the chairman of Sony, who, upon learning of Hirakawa's passing, sent his condolences to the family, stating, "I believe that Come Come English was the driving force behind Japan's emergence as a world economic power."
11.3. Critical assessment and controversies
While Tadaichi Hirakawa's contributions to English education and his cultural impact are widely celebrated, the available source materials do not prominently feature any significant criticisms or controversies surrounding his methods or career. His innovative approach was largely embraced as a refreshing alternative to more traditional, less effective teaching styles prevalent in his era.
12. In popular culture
Tadaichi Hirakawa's life and work have been commemorated in modern Japanese media. He was notably portrayed by the popular singer and songwriter Masashi Sada in the 2021 NHK television drama, Come Come Everybody. The drama depicted his experiences and the profound impact of his radio program on Japanese society.
13. Death
Tadaichi Hirakawa passed away on August 25, 1993, at the age of 91, due to pneumonia.