A real-life fairy tale about a 30-year magical relationship between a 79-year-old Japanese diver and his ‘mate’, a 17-meter-deep fish, has moved the world.

A Japanese man has been a diver all his life and has been with “one friend” for 30 years. The strange thing is that the friend is not a fisherman but a fish from the waters of Tateyama. Friendship between “man and fish” – a fairy tale in the middle of life has moved the whole world.

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A 79-year-old Japanese diver named Hiroyuki Arakavu has proven that even fish can form close bonds with humans. He has been friends with an Asian glasshead fish named Yoriko for over 30 years.

Many studies have proven that animals often stick with the people who saved them and become close friends for many years. And this often happens with mammals: dogs, cats, even wild animals, sometimes bears.

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After taking care of him, the animal became closer to him.

But a 79-year-old Japanese diver named Hiroyuki Arakavu has proven that even fish can form strong bonds with humans. He has been friends with an Asian glasshead fish named Yoriko for over 30 years. “We understand each other. I can not only talk, but I can caress, even kiss Yoriko. I’m the only one Yoriko allows to do this,” Hiroyuki said.

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Arakawa encountered the animal while it was badly injured, barely able to feed.

Scuba diver Hiroyuki Arakawa supervised the construction of the gate of an underwater Shinto shrine at a depth of 17m. Nearly every day for the past 30 years, Hiroyuki has dived into the waters of Tateyama, Japan, to visit Yoriko. During one dive, he found Yoriko’s mouth severely damaged and the fish exhausted.

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Now every time Arakawa dives and gives the signal, the animal will immediately swim up.

In such a state that the fish would not be able to feed on its own, Hiroyuki spent ten days taking care of Yoriko and personally feeding Yoriko with crab meat. Thanks to Hiroyuki’s dedicated care, Yoriko recovered and was as healthy as before.

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After recovering, a strong bond developed between Yoriko and Hiroyuki. “I think Yoriko knew that I saved her, so she trusted me, hugged me and loved me. I’m very proud that I was able to do this,” said Hiroyuki.

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A diver over 80 years old and a friendship of nearly 3 decades with a fish on the bottom of the sea.