Aya Kitō

Aya Kitō (木藤 亜也, Kitō Aya, July 19, 1962 – May 23, 1988) was a Japanese diarist who documented her struggle with spinocerebellar degeneration, a progressive neurological disease. Her diary entries were published posthumously as the book 1 Litre no Namida (1リットルの涙, Ichi Rittoru no Namida, "One Litre of Tears") in 1986, which became a major bestseller in Japan and has since been translated into several languages.

Aya Kitō began experiencing symptoms of her illness around the age of 14. After a series of consultations and tests, she was diagnosed with spinocerebellar degeneration. As her condition worsened, she meticulously recorded her daily life, emotions, and physical decline in her diary. The diary entries offer a poignant and honest account of her struggles with mobility, speech, and other challenges imposed by the disease.

1 Litre no Namida became widely popular for its raw emotion and inspiring message of resilience in the face of adversity. The book spawned a popular Japanese television drama series in 2005, also titled 1 Litre no Namida, which further amplified Aya Kitō's story and brought awareness to spinocerebellar degeneration. Her diary continues to resonate with readers worldwide, serving as a testament to the human spirit's ability to persevere despite debilitating illness.