Tetsu Nakamura

A Japanese physician who transformed arid regions of Afghanistan into fertile farmland through innovative irrigation systems, risking his life until his assassination in 2019.

Dr. Tetsu Nakamura (1946–2019) dedicated over 30 years to rebuilding Afghanistan's agriculture and water infrastructure. After initially working as a leprosy specialist, he shifted focus to combat drought and famine caused by war and climate change. His ‘green villages’ project revived the Kunar River basin using traditional Japanese irrigation techniques, benefiting over 600,000 people.

Despite threats from militants, Nakamura insisted on staying, famously stating, "If I leave, the farmers will suffer." His legacy includes 25,000 hectares of restored farmland and a model of sustainable development praised by the UN. His assassination in 2019 sparked nationwide mourning in Afghanistan, where he was posthumously granted citizenship.