防人 (Sakimori) Those Who Stand Guard While Others Stay Safe
2026-11-05
防人 (Sakimori)
Those Who Stand Guard While Others Stay Safe
Those Who Stand Guard While Others Stay Safe
In ancient Japan, 防人 (Sakimori) were soldiers assigned to protect the country's distant borders. Many were ordinary men sent far from their families to defend the nation. Their sacrifices were rarely celebrated, but their service helped keep others safe.
The word 防人 combines 防 (to protect or defend) and 人 (person).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments ordered many businesses to close and people to stay home. However, certain workers and businesses were designated as essential because society could not function without them.
Did you know that PSPINC was one of those businesses?
We were considered essential because we operated internet infrastructure, including web and email hosting services that businesses and individuals depended on.
While others stayed home, our responsibility was to keep servers running, email flowing, and websites accessible.
We were proud of that responsibility.
We were not doctors, nurses, firefighters, or soldiers. But in our own way, we were 防人 — Sakimori.
The experience reminded me that protecting society does not always require carrying a weapon or wearing a uniform.
Sometimes, it simply means showing up, doing your job, and making sure others can continue their lives without interruption.
The best protection is often the protection nobody notices.
That is what 防人 means to me.
And I am proud that PSPINC was able to serve in that role.
Disclaimer: I use AI as a tool to help create images and proofread my writing. However, the ideas, opinions, experiences, and messages in my posts are my own. AI does not generate my posts for me. It simply helps me present my own words and ideas more clearly.
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..