53. Stories of a Father

Violinist and composer Diana Yukawa lost her father, Akihisa Yukawa, in the Japan Air Lines Flight 123 plane crash of August 1985. The crash was just five weeks before she was born. As she grew up, Diana wanted to get to know her father.

Matthew Syed, explores the profound relationship that can exist between parent and child separated by a loss of this kind, and the role of storytelling in creating those connections.

Writer Ashley Reese’s husband, Rob, died of cancer in 2022. Ashley is planning to get pregnant with hers and Rob’s child using IVF. She is making plans for their future child to know their father.

Featuring Diana Yukawa, Ashley Reese and clinical psychologist Dr Emma Svanberg.

Presenter: Matthew SyedProducer: Amalie SortlandSeries editor: Katherine GodfreySound design and mix: Naomi ClarkeTheme tune by Ioana SelaruA Novel production for BBC Radio 4

Sideways

Best-selling author Matthew Syed explores the ideas that shape our lives with stories of seeing the world differently.

• No. of episodes: 101
• Latest episode: 2025-07-30
• Society & Culture

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