Japanese student at Trinity College dies.

**osarusan** · 07/12/2007, 4:22 AM

Does anybody know anything about this story? Has it made the news at all at home?

Ireland's oldest university is mourning the passing of a former Japanese student who continued to attend the institution every day despite finishing his course nearly 20 years ago. Masahisa Matsubara, 72, who was known as 'Matteo,' became a permanent fixture at The University of Dublin, commonly referred to as Trinity College, which is the sole constituent college of the university, following the end of his studies in 1988.

I suppose he made enough money in the eighties to allow him retire early and finance his dream.......very rewarding if you have a real love of learning I guess.

**the 12 th man** · 07/12/2007, 6:19 AM

It made the papers alright,there was an ad in the back page of The Irish Times announcing his death put in by the Students Union (I think).

I saw him around a fair bit.

**a.a.d** · 07/12/2007, 10:39 AM

No this can't be true "Matt the Jap" as he was known. Can this be confirmed, I only saw him a couple of weeks ago.

**citizenerased** · 07/12/2007, 1:09 PM

poor old fella

**OneRedArmy** · 07/12/2007, 1:13 PM

Originally Posted by a.a.d

No this can't be true "Matt the Jap" as he was known. Can this be confirmed, I only saw him a couple of weeks ago.

Yes it is.

Was on front page of the Times last week with his picture.

**jmurphyc** · 07/12/2007, 1:59 PM

There was some kind of gathering last night. His funeral will be held in Japan. Supposedly the Gardai had to kick his door down as food was left outside his door rotting for a week before they noticed. Very sad. He had a very interesting life though. He was in correspondence with Mary McAleese and Jacques Chirac amongst others.