ItalianoGACKT Official X update. Translation below
The Republic of Malta.
This is where I, GACKT, lived for two years.
The Mediterranean light poured down on the cobblestones,
and cats slept freely in the alleys.
The Maltese people watched over this tranquil scene with gentle gazes.
To this country, cats were gods,
family members, and a part of everyday life.
But in Malta.
One foolish Japanese man systematically
killed several city cats by slamming them into walls, cars, and the ground.
When I learned this,
my heart felt crushed.
It’s not hard to imagine the deep sadness and disappointment it left in the hearts of those warm-hearted people.
Japanese people living abroad, including myself,
rely on the trust of the local people.
If that trust is shaken,
we quickly change from “neighbors” to “strangers.”
And once lost, it’s never easy to regain that trust.
That’s why our Japanese friends living in Malta are rising up now.
To make amends for the cats that died.
To heal the hearts of those grieving.
And to uphold their responsibility and pride as Japanese people.
The Japanese community in Malta is not large compared to other countries.
Japanese people living there spend their days feeling uncomfortable.
Everyone sometimes harbors resentment toward foreigners living in their country.
But that resentment must not be directed toward all Japanese people.
To prevent this,
we must show our support through actions, not words.
This is not just a donation.
It is a challenge for Japanese people to regain trust.
Please lend us your strength, even if just a little.
To protect the cats and smiles of that town’s people.
And to uphold our dignity as Japanese people.
Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team
Translation © GACKT ITALIA