First Autobiography by a Person Left at the 'Stork's Cradle' to Be Released on July 19: 'I'm Glad I Was Born' Chronicles Childhood Emotional Struggles in the Author's Own Words

Price: 1,650 yen (1,500 yen + tax) Publisher: Kumamoto Nichinichi Shuppan

The first child left on the opening day of the 'cradle'

On the afternoon of May 10, 2007—just hours after the 'Stork's Cradle' opened—Koichi Miyatsu was left by a relative. At the age of three, he has only vague memories of the event and recalls almost nothing about the person who left him or the circumstances.

Afterward, he was taken in by a child consultation center and later placed with foster parents. Growing up under the care of foster parents, non-biological siblings, teachers, and community members, he experienced various inner conflicts, such as the desire to know his biological parents and the fear of others learning about his origins. This book documents his childhood emotions in his own words.

At age 22: Reflections and what lies ahead

Upon entering university, he founded 'Kodomo Daigaku Kumamoto' (Children's University Kumamoto) and has been actively promoting the value of life through public speaking. Now 22, he shares messages for children in similar situations, his feelings toward the relatives who left him at the cradle, and his personal insights on debates surrounding origins and identity.

[Table of Contents]

Chapter 1: Left at the 'Cradle'

・From the hospital to the child consultation center

・Meeting the foster parents

・Life with the Miyatsu family

・Becoming a family member

・A certain incident

Chapter 2: Tracing My Origins

・The origin of my name

・The existence of a family registry

・Visiting ancestral graves

・Creating a family tree

・A foster child of the same age

・The presence of family

・The name on my graduation certificate

Chapter 3: Various Challenges

・Track and field, student council, and the Kumamoto earthquake

・The role of a survivor

・President, captain, leader

・High school life

・Father falls ill

・Opening a 'children's cafeteria'

・Enrolling in a local university

Chapter 4: Thoughts as a Survivor

・Deciding to reveal my real name

・Without consulting anyone

・Increasing speaking requests

Chapter 5: Children's University

・Appointed as president

・What is 'Life Studies'?

・Awareness of the 'cradle'

Chapter 6: Supporting Children

・The role of a parent

・Attachment to 'hometown'

・Signs of progress

・Promoting accurate understanding

Chapter 7: What I Want to Say Now

・Paving a new path

・Inquiries from other families in similar situations

・Feelings toward the relatives who left me

・Debates on origins

・The invisible presence of a father

・Loosely connected bonds

・Thoughts on the name 'cradle'

・For whom is legal regulation intended?

Afterword

Book Information

Title: I'm Glad I Was Born

Author: Koichi Miyatsu

Release Date: July 19, 2026

Price: 1,650 yen (1,500 yen + tax)

Format: B6 paperback, 206 pages

ISBN: 978-4-911007-32-7

Publisher: Kumamoto Nichinichi Shuppan

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