The Japanese doctor who watered Afghanistan

Slain Japanese doctor and canal builder gets his dream honored
Slain Japanese doctor and canal builder Tetsu Nakamura gets his dream honored

Tetsu Nakamura, also known as Kaka Murad, was a Japanese physician and honorary Afghan citizen who headed Peace Japan Medical Services, an aid group known as Peshawar-kai in Japanese.

A Japanese doctor and humanitarian Tetsu Nakamura lived in Afghanistan for more than 3 decades leading humanitarian projects. His biggest dream was to realize a water canal project to give irrigation water to farmers in the Nangarhar province. His life was cut short in 2019 by a suspected group of armed Taliban militants believed to be sent from Pakistan. This year Nakamura’s dream came to life and 5 years after his death his largest project out of hundreds, a 20-mile canal, brings life-giving water to people who need it the most. 
Nakamura canal in Afghanistan opened in 2024.  Source of photo unknown

Born in Japan, Nakamura had been granted honorary citizenship in Afghanistan, reflecting the deep connections he forged with the country through his extensive humanitarian work. Apart from medical aid in the early years, he focused on constructing water canals, which were crucial for irrigation and agriculture in the arid region.

The same location in 2003 and 2009 along a canal Dr. Nakamura helped build. Photographs courtesy of Peshawar-kai/PMS.
The same location in 2003 and 2009 along a canal Dr. Nakamura helped build. They are reminiscent of old Japan village canals. Photographs courtesy of Peshawar-kai/PMS.
After his murder (the Taliban has halted the investigation into the murder since taking over) Nakamura’s canal project resumed with support from the Japanese government continuing his legacy:  Nakamura constructed multiple health centers and hundreds of water projects related to irrigation, canal construction, and clean water access.
Kabul-Nangarhar highway - Sorobi,Afghanistan 2020
Kabul-Nangarhar highway – Sorobi, Afghanistan 2020. Kunar River.

His most significant achievement was the creation of a 20-mile canal sourced from the Kunar River, which now irrigates hundreds of acres of farmland. He has impacted millions of people.

Photographs courtesy of Peshawar-kai/PMS.

Following Nakamura’s passing, a non-governmental organization named PMS has taken up the cause to continue building canals and dams in the region.

Here is a beautiful film on his impact. Let’s not let terror win. Watch the movie, Water, Not Weapons below. And let us ponder: what is it that draws a man to leave his country and change the world in places that need help? Is there something inside of you that wishes to do the same?

::Peshawar-Kai

Karin Kloosterman
Karin Kloostermanhttp://www.greenprophet.com
Karin Kloosterman is an award-winning journalist, innovation strategist, and founder of Green Prophet, one of the Middle East’s pioneering sustainability platforms. She has ranked in the Top 10 of Verizon innovation competitions, participated in NASA-linked challenges, and spoken worldwide on climate, food security, and future resilience. With an IoT technology patent, features in Canada’s National Post, and leadership inside teams building next-generation agricultural and planetary systems — including Mars-farming concepts — Karin operates at the intersection of storytelling, science, and systems change. She doesn’t report on the future – she helps design it. Reach out directly to [email protected]

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