Md. Al Masum Khan,

Tokyo, Japan —
Mohammad Afriji Bin Apon, a 26-year-old Bangladeshi student who traveled to Japan with dreams of becoming an automobile engineer, was found dead in his small apartment—his emaciated body a tragic testament to isolation, despair, and hunger.

Afriji, who had once hoped to make his family proud with his overseas education, returned home not in success, but in a coffin wrapped in white shrouds.

Despite living in one of the world’s most technologically advanced nations, Afriji endured days—possibly weeks—without food and water. According to close sources and members of the local Bangladeshi community, the young man faced mounting challenges after falling behind on his college tuition payments. The financial strain led to the suspension of his basic utilities—electricity, gas, water, and even mobile communication. Eventually, Afriji became virtually imprisoned within his rented apartment, trapped in isolation.

Community members say Afriji had been suffering from severe depression since December last year. Living in a cramped apartment in a busy Japanese city, he struggled alone. While some neighbors attempted to offer food at his doorstep, it reportedly remained untouched. One final sighting came when a neighbor glimpsed him through a small kitchen window—he was using his mobile flashlight and weakly said he couldn’t see anything. He confided to friends that he had not eaten in four days.

Bangladeshi expatriate and community member Hasan Robin wrote on Facebook that Afriji had not been seen outside for 15 consecutive days. Due to Japanese laws that prohibit entering private residences without permission, his friends were forced to wait until Sunday to seek help from police and emergency services. Tragically, Afriji did not live to see that day.

“When the police removed his lifeless body,” Robin wrote, “it seemed like he didn’t even weigh 10 kilograms. His body had become stiff from starvation and cold.”

The devastating loss of this young man underscores the harsh and often overlooked mental health and financial struggles faced by many international students abroad—especially those without strong support systems or emergency assistance.

Afriji’s death has sparked sorrow, outrage, and calls for greater awareness of the vulnerabilities faced by foreign students, particularly in high-cost countries like Japan. As his family and community mourn, the tragedy serves as a heartbreaking reminder that dreams pursued in silence can sometimes end in unbearable loneliness.