Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation

February 2024

vol.2 No.90 (semiannual)Children's representatives reading out the "Commitment to Peace" at the Peace Memorial Ceremony, August 6, 2023
(provided by the City of Hiroshima)

CONTENTS
Photo: Children's representatives reading out the "Commitment to
Peace" at the Peace Memorial Ceremony, August 6, 2023………………… ❶Peace Memorial Ceremony－78 Years Since the Atomic Bombing……… ❷Hanover Day Commemorative Event Held on August 6…………………… ❸Memoir of the A-Bombing "The Parting of Father and Son"
(Masaki Hironaka, Atomic bomb survivor)…………………………………… ❹A Humanitarian and Humankind’s Approach to the Elimination of
Nuclear Weapons (Mitsuru Kurosawa)……………………………………… ❻Communicating the Reality of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki through a “Humanitarian and Humankind’s
Approach” (Shiro Tani)………………………………………………………… ❼A Scheme to Promote the Culture of Peace among Japanese Cities……… ❽Delegation attended the first session of the Preparatory Committee
for the 11th NPT Review Conference………………………………………… ❾Youth Peace Volunteer’s Guide Activities…………………………………… ❿Acceptance of UN Disarmament Fellows / Nine New A-Bomb Paintings Completed…… ⓫Hiroshima City & Aki County International Resident Consultation Service…… ⓬February 2024

PEACE CULTURE No.90

Peace Memorial Ceremony－78 Years Since the Atomic Bombing
On August 6, 78 years since thedropping of the atomic bomb, the Cityof Hiroshima held the Peace Memorial Ceremony in Peace Memorial Park,
Hiroshima City.
Approximately 50,000 people attended, including hibakusha , bereaved
families, and guests. They prayed forthe repose of the souls of those wholost their lives in the bombing, and for
perpetual world peace.
The ceremony started at 8:00am.
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui andtwo representatives of the bereaved
families dedicated two volumes of theRegister of the Names of the Fallen
Atomic Bomb Victims to the shrine in
the Memorial Cenotaph for the AtomMayor Matsui reading out the Peace Declaration
ic Bomb Victims. Over the past year,
5,320 people’s deaths had been conleaders who visited Hiroshima for the G7 Hiroshima Sumfirmed and their names were recorded in the Register. Thismit, Mayor Matsui strongly urged them to visit Hiroshima
brings the total number of names recorded in the Registerto convey their desire for peace, to immediately halt nuclear
to 339,227 people, in 125 volumes.
intimidation, and to take steps toward building a security
This was followed by an address by Mr. Tatsunori Motani,
regime based on trust through dialogue.
chairperson of the Hiroshima City Council, and a dedicaMayor Matsui also made an appeal to citizens: “To createtion of flowers by various representatives. At 8:15am, thethat social environment, let us promote initiatives to instilltime that the bomb was dropped, Ms. Rena Sumida, thethe culture of peace everywhere. If we do, elected officials,
representative of the bereaved families, and Minato Tanaka,
who need the support of the people, will surely work withthe children’s representative, rang the Peace Bell, and all
us toward a peaceful world.”
participants observed a minute of silent prayer.
Mayor Matsui urged the Japanese government to play
Mayor Matsui then read out the Peace Declaration. He
a role in reconciling the differences between the nuclear
started by introducing a comment made by a hibakusha
weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states, and to parwho was 8 years old at the time of the bombing, “I want theticipate as an observer at the Second Conference of theleaders of all countries with nuclear weapons to visit HiParties to the Nuclear Weapons Convention. Furthermore,roshima and Nagasaki and learn the realities of the atomic
he strongly urged the government to strengthen support
bombings.” He followed this by saying “The heads of statemeasures for the hibakusha , whose average age is over 85
who attended the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May this year
years old and many of whom are suffering from a variety ofvisited the Peace Memorial Museum, spoke with hibakuphysical and mental effects of radiation.
sha , and wrote messages in the guestbook. Their messages
In his speech that followed, Prime Minister Fumio Kishidaprovide proof that hibakusha pleas have reached them. As
expressed
his belief that, as the road to a “world without
they stood before the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, I
nuclear weapons” becomes more difficult due to the widenconveyed the Spirit of Hiroshima underlying its inscription.
ing division in the international community over approachI believe our spirit is now engraved in their hearts.”
es to nuclear disarmament and Russia’s nuclear threat, it isMayor Matsui then appealed to all policymakers, saying
imperative for us to reinvigorate international momentum“Leaders around the world must confront the reality thatonce more towards the realization of a “world without nunuclear threats now being voiced by certain policymakers
clear weapons”, and that the starting point for making firm
reveal the folly of nuclear deterrence theory. They must improgress towards the realization of a “world without nuclear
mediately take concrete steps to lead us from the dangerous
weapons” is accurately understanding the tragic realities ofpresent toward our ideal world.” Following on from the2

PEACE CULTURE No.90

the atomic bombings.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the G7 Hiroshima
Summit, where world leaders listened to the voices of atomic bomb survivors and encountered firsthand the realities of
the atomic bombings and the desires of people yearning forpeace, and the Japanese government urged not only world
leaders but also young people and others to visit Hiroshima
and Nagasaki. He said “We will continue to work actively
to bring about a world without nuclear weapons, giving
proper consideration to the discussions of the International
Group of Eminent Persons for a World without Nuclear
Weapons.”
At the ceremony this time, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, UN
Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for
Disarmament Affairs, read out a message from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Japanese.
The Secretary-General pledged to support hibakusha asthey continued sharing their accounts and the lesson ofwhat happened in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.
The Secretary-General also commended the world leaders
who visited Hiroshima for the summit, seen its monuments,
spoken with its brave survivors, and emerged emboldened
to take up the cause of nuclear disarmament. However, heurged that more leaders must take nuclear disarmament
seriously now that the “drums of nuclear war are beating
once again.” He then introduced the Policy Brief on A New
Agenda for Peace, released at the end of July, which places
disarmament at its center, stating, “We will not rest until the
nuclear shadow has been lifted once and for all.”Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki said “From theviewpoint of the sustainability, we should pursue the totalelimination of nuclear weapons, upholding it as a common
goal of the international community.”Children’s representatives Erena Katsuoka and Tomoru
Yonehiro expressed their gratitude for those who survived
the devastation of the atomic bombing and saved the chainof life, and read out the Commitment to Peace, saying “Wewill treat the ardent wish of the hibakusha as something
personal and use our own words to convey that wish. We
will each take action to pay forward the peace around us.
We, the children of Hiroshima, will build a future that everyone can recognize as peaceful.”
In attendance at the ceremony were representatives of
bereaved families from 31 prefectures, in addition to representatives and ambassadors from the European Union (EU)and 111 nations, including the nuclear weapon states of theUnited States, the United Kingdom, and France.
The full texts of the Peace Declaration and the Commitment to Peace that were read out at the ceremony are available on the City of Hiroshima website.
(General Affairs Division)(The City of Hiroshima website)

February 2024

Hanover Day Commemorative Event
Held on August 6
Hiroshima and Hanover in Germany marked the 40th
anniversary of their sister city affiliation in 2023.
In 1968, under the Japan-Germany Cultural Agreement, a delegation of 130 Japanese youth representatives traveled to Germany. During this visit, theInternational Youth Association Hiroshima (IYAH)
dispatched the Secretary-General and two university
students from Hiroshima City. Subsequently, youth
exchanges at the grassroots level between Hiroshima
City and Hanover City continued to thrive with theleadership of the same association. In 1972, for the
first time, the Mayor of Hiroshima visited Hanover
City, leading to increased interpersonal exchanges at
the administrative level. In 1983, as momentum grew,
the two cities established a sister city partnership. Currently, Hanover City is playing a significant role as aVice President City for the Mayors for Peace.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary, a 21-member
delegation from Hanover, including Mayor Belit Onay,
visited Hiroshima during the first week of August. In
conjunction with the delegation’s attendance at thePeace Memorial Ceremony on the morning of August
6, the City Diversity & Inclusion Division of thisFoundation held an event entitled “Hanover Day” inthe afternoon to celebrate the 40th anniversary of thesister city affiliation and to allow Hiroshima citizens toexperience and become familiar with German culture
and deepen their understanding of our sister city.
Before the ceremony, many citizens enjoyed German
cultural experiences such as sausages, Baumkuchen
cake, tasting of bread and wine directly from Germany,and paper crafts of German trains, as well as the Ueda
Sōko tradition of tea ceremony, which has a close relationship with the city of Hanover.
The Lüttje Lage (drinking shots) experience corner,
which is unique to the city of Hanover, was a lively
event held by about 30 young people, mostly membersof the IYAH, which has played a central role in civic
youth exchange between the cities of Hiroshima andHannover. This corner also featured a panel presentation on the history of youth exchange between the twocities to date.
On the commemorative stage, members of the International Youth Conference for Peace in the Future, in3February 2024

PEACE CULTURE No.90

Memoir of the A-bombing;

The Parting of Father and Son-The experiences I had when I wasfive years and ten months oldMasaki Hironaka
Atomic bomb survivor registered with
our Foundation

The crowded Lüttje Lage booth(IYAH students in traditional German costume)

which high school students and others from Hiroshima
City exchange opinions with youth from around theworld to deepen mutual understanding and think together about world peace, gave a report on their visit
to Hanover in May. In past years, this conference hasalternated between Hiroshima City and its sister andfriendship cities, bringing together youth from aroundthe world. This year’s conference was held in Hanover, coinciding with the May 27 signing date of thesister city affiliation agreement with Hiroshima City.
The reports by the visiting youths included anecdotes
in which they used music to express their thoughts andfeelings that they had developed in Hanover, and other
anecdotes that showed the rich creativity of the next
generation, transcending national borders.
Other highlights included an introduction to the cityof Hanover by Hiroshima Messengers, a classicalconcert by Hiroshima musicians with ties to Germany,
and a wonderful performance by the 17-member Hiroshima City Fire Department Band. Approximately 500
people attended the event.

Hiroshima City Firefighters Band impressing the audience
with their rendition of "Matsuri ”, a classic enka song.

(City Diversity & Inclusion Division)
4

August 6, 1945—Atomic Bombing and Black Rain
I was five years and ten months old when the atomic bomb
was dropped. I was living in Koiue town which was about
3.5km from the Hypocenter.
On the morning of August 6th, I was playing in the stream
near my house. Then suddenly something flashed and ina matter of seconds everything became orange before myeyes and I heard a sound like fireworks. After a few moreseconds a brown blast of wind from downstream struck mewith furious speed. I couldn’t stand still and I fell backwards. I remember hearing the noise of the windows of thehouses nearby breaking and the sound of the tiles being
blown off the roofs and smashing on the ground. I knewthat something had just happened but I was little so I kept
playing in the stream under the bridge.
I heard my mother shouting. She said, “Masaki, go to themountain shelter right now. We will go ahead and will be
waiting for you!” I got out of the stream and went back to
the house in my bare feet. I couldn’t go inside because it
was too dangerous. There were pieces of broken glass fromthe front door and from the room windows scattered allover the floor. It was then, for the first time, that I realized
something serious had happened.
As I hastily ran to the shelter, I saw the mushroom cloudfrom the atomic bomb getting bigger and bigger.
After meeting my mom and sister in the shelter, we had
to stay still for a long time in the dark and crowded shelter,
unable to move. I was very bored. It was then that the radioactive black rain started falling.
Tragic appearance of the A-bomb survivors
Eventually the rain has gotten lighter so we returned
home. There were two survivors sitting in the front room
littered with shards of glass, and two further people werelying down in the tatami room beyond. As soon as they
saw us they all said, “Excuse us, please give us water.” My
mother and I gave them water right away. They were very
grateful and said, “Thank you” to us many times. They
were badly burnt. Their faces, hands, chests, legs and hairwere all burnt and crinkled. Pieces of skin hung down likestring and elsewhere their skin was red and blistered. Theylooked like they were about to die.
One after another, people who were burnt walked past ourhouse. They were bent over and their arms hung a little forward. Their whole bodies were burnt and the skin of theirarms was hanging off them like strands of cotton. Theirclothes, both their tops and bottoms, were burned and tattered.
When I looked up, the mushroom cloud was even bigger,
expanding in the early evening sky. The top half was get-

PEACE CULTURE No.90

ting longer and drifting toward Miyajima.
My mother had hurt her face and hand in the blast. That
morning, after she had seen my father off to work, she had
been putting on makeup in front of the mirror so that she
could go out to receive a distribution of rations. It was thenthat the explosion had happened. Glass, broken by the blastof the atomic bomb, had flown into her. My sister had beennear my mother at the time, but fortunately she had only
received small cuts.
My father exposed to the A-bombing
That evening at about seven o’clock, when it was a little
darker, we heard from a teacher at Koi Elementary Schoolthat my father was at the elementary school. My mother got
ready and then, taking my sister’s hand and my hand, weheaded to the school, which was about 500m away. Whilewe were walking down the hill to the school we kept asking“Dad?” to the people who are coming up the road but wecouldn’t find him.
At Koi Elementary School there were many people who
were lying down because they were injured and also many
people who were looking for members of their family who
also hadn’t come home. In front of a shelter near the school
my mother said to me, “Don’t move from here until I comeback.” She went into the school building still holding mysister.
After a while my mother came back and said, “I couldn’t
find him so let’s go home.” I think it was about eight o’clock.
As we were walking home we were still asking the people
who were sitting on the street and walking by if they weremy father but no-one was. Thinking back about that moment I wonder how worried my mother must have been.
When we got home,
at about eight-thirty myfather was sitting in thedark in the kitchen. My
father was pretty weakened. He was burnt fromhis head to his back andhis trousers were tattered.
My father called me on
his way upstairs, andsaid “Masaki, pull out
the pieces of glass in myback.” I tried to pull itout but it was imbedded
deeply in the muscle. I
couldn’t pull it out even In the candle light, Pulling out thepieces of glass stuck in my father'swith pliers so I asked myback (Author Masaki Hironaka)mother to do it.
Later my father said, “I was on the train when Pikadon hit.
The window of the train was blown away by the blast andthe hot, hot light and that pieces of glass got stuck in myback.” My father worked at the Hiroshima railway center in
Ujina. He would have been passing by ‘Kamiya Cho’, near
what is now known as the A-Bomb Dome, at eight fifteen;
the moment atomic bomb hit. My father had passed out on
the train because of the shock from the explosion. Whenhe came to, there were still many people passed out andsome who were dead; so many bodies lying about the train.
He soaked himself in the river nearby to cool down before
walking for a long time until he arrived at Koi Elementary

February 2024

school, about 3km away. As he walked he stopped frequently to cool himself again in the river. Because of the extreme
heat and with fire spreading across Hiroshima city, the river
was the only place that those suffering from burns could go.
August 7th―The death of my father
When I woke up the next day, August 7th, my mother was
giving my father rice porridge and she was talking to him.
When I saw him he looked in terrible pain. At about threeor four o’clock on, my mother called to me, “Come here
and stay with your father because he seems weak and in
pain.” I was in the corner under the eaves. I heard her but I
couldn’t go near him. That was because I was embarrassed
to cry in front of people even though I was young. Under
the eaves I put my head against the pillar and cried because
I was very sad. The tears didn’t stop. I realized how sad I
was to be apart from my father.
My mother said, “Father has passed away.” I cried evenlouder. He was thirty nine years old. After a little while, I
went near to him. I held his hand and cried with my mother.
His face didn’t look in pain; it was a gentle face as usual.
Thinking back now, I wonder if he might have said something to me if I had been there with him… I think he would
have told me to take care of my mother. Now I have become a grown-up myself, I understand how sad my mothermust have been. After cremating him at a cemetery in Koiue, my mother and the two of us, my sister and I, went backto my father’s home town of Fukuyama on August 23rd.
There is something I want to ask you
I was only five years and ten months old when it happened
but I cannot forget the terrible things in my head because
they were so horrible. Even after 77 years, when I talkabout my experiences remembering what had happenedback then tears come flooding out and I got very sad. However, I have made an effort to get the sorrow and anger out
by drawing and writing this story of what my own eyes saw
and my own head remembers.
Hibakusha have been suffering hardships ever since theatomic bombing. There is an expression, “human lives areheavier than the earth.” The worth of human lives is incalculable. It only took an instant to drop the bomb, but tens of
thousands of people died because of it. My father was oneof them. Although, to the country, he was just one personfrom the tens of thousands of people, but he was everythingfor us and for me. He was the pillar of our family. Even if
a lot of money is piled up he won’t come back. Please everyone; take good care of the lives you have been given by
your parents.
Finally there is something I want to ask you as a favor. I
wanted you to know about my atomic bomb experience because I don’t want anyone else to have a similar experience.
And everyone, please study the past and think about the
future.

Profile〔Masaki HIRONAKA〕
Born in 1939. For many years, he has testified about his
experience of the atomic bombing both in Japan and overseas.
Since 2022, he has been commissioned by the Hiroshima
Peace Culture Foundation to serve as a witness to the A-bomb
experience. His motto is “Gratitude for life, live in the present.”5

February 2024

PEACE CULTURE No.90

Starting with this issue, experts who are active in various fields will be making relay contributions on the “humanitarian and humankind's approach” towards the abolition of nuclear weapons. As the atomic bombed city of Hiroshima, which aims to create a“world free of nuclear weapons”, we believe it is necessary to develop our efforts while deepening our understanding of this approach, which is spreading internationally.

A Humanitarian and Humankind’s Approachto the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
Mitsuru Kurosawa
Professor Emeritus of Osaka University and Osaka Jogakuin University. Ph.D. of Law, Osaka University.
Advisor to the Japanese delegation to the NPT Review Conference (1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015). First
President of the Japan Association of Disarmament Studies (2009-2013).
Editor of “Nuclear Disarmament in the 21st Century: A Message from Hiroshima” (Hiroshima Peace Institute).

At the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), forthe first time, the Final Document that achieved consensus
among all countries included the so-called humanitarian
approach, an approach to nuclear abolition for the sake ofhuman survival, bearing in mind “the devastating inhumaneconsequences of nuclear weapons”.
Subsequently, after the Joint Statement on the Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons (2014) and theConferences on Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons(2013, 2014), the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear
Weapons (TPNW) was adopted by a Majority of the world’s
nations on 7 July 2017.
1. What is “humanity”?
The TPNW is commonly referred in Japan as a humanitarian approach to nuclear abolition. Humanitarian means“to be in accordance with the path that we should follow
as humans and to take such a standpoint.” In the scope of
this definition, “humanity” is translated as “human nature”
in Japan. Discussions on the TPNW in Japan are currently
focused only on this aspect of “humanity”.
However, the English word “humanity” contains anotherimportant meaning, that of “humankind”. When discussing
the issue internationally, one must adopt this definition inorder to be able to participate in the discussions and accurately understand the basic nature of the TPNW.
For example, the Russell-Einstein Manifesto, an extremely
important document for nuclear weapons abolition, calls to
us as human beings to forget about other things and always
keep “humanity” in mind, as its most important message.
This manifesto states that it is a question of choosing “notas a member of a particular nation, continent, or creed, but
as a member of the human race, a species whose existence
is in jeopardy,” and that it is a question of “whether to bringabout its extinction, or whether humankind will renouncewar.”
In this way, “humanity” has an important meaning of “humankind”, and it should be understood also that the TPNW
6

is a treaty that strengthens not only the humanitarian aspect
but also the security of humankind. In this sense, what the
TPNW advocates is “humanity” in the sense that it includes
both meanings, and in terms of content, it should be interpreted as a humanitarian and humankind's approach.
The hibakusha’s desire for peace, which is rooted in their
atomic-bomb experience, transcends grief and hatred, andleads to a truly “humanitarian and humankind’s approach”,
as they have called for nuclear abolition for the sake of human survival.
2. What is human security?
The term “security” is now used extremely broadly and isfrequently used to emphasize the importance of a concept,
such as environmental security or economic security. The
original definition of security is “how to respond to external
threats,” and historically and traditionally it has meant military security, and this remains a fundamental and central
concept today.
Military security in the international community has traditionally been used in the sense of protecting one’s own
country against threats from other countries. This has been
discussed as “national security”. National security as a matter of military response, including war among nations, wasthe most important issue in international relations. Whenthe League of Nations and the United Nations came into
existence, the concept of “international security”, or security among nations, was proposed. The primary objective of
the United Nations is defined as “to maintain international
peace and security.”
The current vision of the TPNW is the “security of humanity”. This goes beyond the security of individual nations
and security among nations and aims to ensure the securityof all peoples of the earth.
3. How should the TPNW be strengthened?
Nuclear weapons states and nuclear allies have expressedstrong opposition to the TPNW, arguing that it undermines
the NPT and seek to deny the very existence of the latter

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February 2024

treaty. However, at the NPT Review Conference in August
2022, the draft final document of the conference specified
the adoption, opening for signature, and entry into force of
the TPNW, and the holding of the Meeting of States Parties
to the TPNW. Although it was not formally adopted due
to Russian opposition, it is believed that there was generalagreement on the content of the TPNW.
In order to strengthen the TPNW, efforts should be madeto increase the number of signatories and ratifying nations
from the current status of 93 and 69, respectively, as of
September 2023. In particular, the participation of statesthat are parties to the Treaty on a Nuclear Weapon-Free
Zone and have not signed or ratified the TPNW should be
encouraged, and the participation of the 122 countries thatagreed to adopt the TPNW should be targeted. The TPNW
and the NPT, while sharing the same basic recognition of
the “humanitarian and humankind’s approach”, in otherwords, the inhumanity of the use of nuclear weapons, forthe time being, we should lobby non-nuclear weapon states,
to strengthen compatibility and complementarity.
4. What should the Japanese government do?
The Government of Japan is absolutely opposed to the
TPNW and is also opposed to participating as observer inthe Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty. Prime Minister
Kishida cites the fact that “not a single nuclear-weapon
state has joined” as the reason for this. He has also often
stated that the Treaty is the exit for nuclear weapons abolition. If so, this end point should be pursued. Regarding observer participation in the Meeting of States Parties, since
NATO members Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway,
which are in the same position as Japan, participated in theFirst Meeting of States Parties and are pursuing the possibility of cooperation, Japan can and should actively cooperate in areas such as assistance for the victims of the use andtesting of nuclear weapons.
(October 2023)

Communicating the Realityof the Atomic Bombings ofHiroshima and Nagasaki
through a “Humanitarianand Humankind’s Approach”
Shiro Tani
Vice Chairperson, Hiroshima Peace
Culture Foundation

The humanitarian and humankind’s approach in dealing
with the use of nuclear weapons is gaining universal acceptance in the international community. It represents a paradigm shift in the way nuclear weapons are handled, frombeing discussed primarily from the perspective of national

security to a wider perspective of protecting human survival– a shift that reflects the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the use of nuclear weapons. The motivation ofthis shift is to revive nuclear disarmament, which has notbeen making any progress, through a fundamental changeof mindset both inside and outside of government.
I believe that all who seek to achieve world peace and security would benefit from communicating the tragic realityof the atomic bombings as the ultimate foundation for thehumanitarian and humankind’s approach to disarmament.
In other words, this approach builds on the belief that thedevastating heat rays, blasts, and radiation from the atomic
bombings prove that such weapons threaten the survivalof the human race, and must therefore be abolished on thebasis of these facts. Together, they represent the harshest ofrealities.
The humanitarian and humankind’s approach offers great
potential to overcome conventional approaches to dealing
with nuclear weapons issues, such as the illusion that such
weapons serve a useful purpose of deterrence. The intent
of this alternative approach is to address directly the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of even a single useof such weapons, let alone the unimaginable horrors of a
nuclear war.
Below, three specific benefits of this approach are discussed.
First, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons(TPNW) and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons (NPT) are compatible and complementary as concrete paths toward nuclear weapons abolition. Both of thesetreaties share the same basic recognition of the humanitarian and humankind’s approach, with its mission to preventthe destruction of humanity by the use of nuclear weapons.
For this reason, it is significant to emphasize the reality of
the atomic bombings in conjunction with this approach inorder to create a common ground for discussions between
parties to these treaties.
Second, motivated young people sometimes ask what theyshould do for nuclear weapons abolition. If we take the humanitarian and humankind’s approach, they will understandthat communicating the reality of the atomic bombings
will itself play a major role in shaping public opinion to
support nuclear abolition. Foreign visitors and Japanese
students on school excursions to Hiroshima will also beable to understand that the reality of the atomic bombing, as
perceived through the exhibits at Peace Memorial Museum
and testimonies of the hibakusha , represents the destructionof humanity through the use of nuclear weapons. They will
be convinced that there is no other way for the survival of
humanity but to abolish nuclear weapons.
Third, in response to the explanation of the reality of theatomic bombings, various opinions may be raised, such as“many deaths have also occurred in other air raids,” or “nuclear deterrence is necessary from a geopolitical perspec7

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PEACE CULTURE No.90

tive.” Yet despite these varying opinions, no one can deny
the fundamental reality that atomic bombings inevitably
lead to the destruction of human race, given the indiscriminate effects from the use of nuclear weapons. This further
reinforces the need to work for the global abolition of all
such weapons.
As described above, we believe that the role of Hiroshima will become even more important as it will be able tocontribute to international discussions on a world free of
nuclear weapons based on the humanitarian and humankind’s approach. Having experienced firsthand the horrificeffects of these weapons, our city is both willing and able tocommunicate the reality of the atomic bombings in a waythat is linked to this approach. We must approach nuclear
disarmament as a solemn and effective means to reaffirm
our common humanity.
(November 2023)

A Scheme to Promote the Culture of Peace among Japanese Cities
A major theme of the 11 th Japanese Member Cities
Meeting of Mayors for Peace, held in 2023 against the
backdrop of critical situations in Ukraine and Gaza, was
the importance of promoting the culture of peace among
Japanese Cities, a theme reflecting the legacy of the G7
Hiroshima Summit.
As hibakusha and the people having the war experiencein Japan grow older, the meeting participants shared theview that now is an important time to further promote theculture of peace in civil society.
In order to understand the current status and needs ofpeace-related initiatives, a questionnaire was sent to allmember cities (1737) in Japan. A total of 715 cities (41%)
responded.
Among the cities that responded, 83% said that they
have implemented initiatives for the culture of peace and17% said they have not. Regarding the initiatives implemented, in addition to memorial ceremonies, exhibitions,and other activities related to the atomic bombings andair raids during World War Ⅱ, there were also events forthe next generation to pass on the war experience, peaceeducation, and dispatches to Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Thus, it is clear that each city is emphasizing the importance of developing the younger generation as the future
leaders of the culture of peace.
We hope that cities will actively consider the establishment of the Month for the Culture of Peace, as it will
enable us to reach out to the younger generation througha wide variety of programs.
The following are Mayors for Peace measures to support Japanese cities based on the issues and needs in
implementing initiatives for the culture of peace: (1)Expansion of programs to accept school students in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, (2) Dispatch of A-bomb legacy
successors, volunteer readers of atomic bomb memoirs,(3) Enhancement of dissemination of good examples,(4) Expansion of internship programs (group training of
three days and two nights), (5) Establishment of a new
web-based training program that can be easily and widely participated in by public servants nationwide, and (6)Request for financial measures for local governments
8

from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication(given to the Minister on November 20).
Of these, activities under (1) above such as (i) attendance at Peace Memorial Ceremony in Hiroshima (August 6), (ii) interaction and dialogue with hibakusha andschool students living in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and(iii) fieldwork to see artifacts and monuments, will enable participants to learn the reality of the atomic bombings and to become leaders of the culture of peace.
In activities under (2) above, the program allows theuse of officially certified A-bomb legacy successors as
instructors for war experience lectures, peace education
at schools, and advance study for dispatch and school excursions to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, at no cost.
The web-based training in (5) is designed also for thestaff of non-implementing cities to join.
We hope that each city will take the initiative in using
these support measures, and that the culture of peace willtake root steadily and even more widely in civil society.
The Japan Designated Cities*1 Mayors Association’s Activities related to the Culture of Peace
The 2023 U7 Mayors Declaration*2 issued by the Japan
Designated Cities Mayors Association, along with the
Mayors’ Organizations of the G7 nations, in advance of
the G7 Hiroshima Summit, states “We, the cities, firmly
believe ...local governments have a crucial role to nurture
the culture of peace among citizens.”
In addition, on November 20, the Japan Designated
Cities Mayors Association issued a Consensus Document
regarding the Promotion of the Culture of Peace. It statesthat it was agreed by all the designated cities to “steadily
implement diverse and varied initiatives to promote theculture of peace amongst a wide range of citizens, including the establishment of the Month for the Culture ofPeace.”*1

2 0 big cities with populations of approximately
700,000 or more*2
h ttps://g7u7.org/fileadmin/user_upload/
Materials/Summit_2023/2023_U7_Mayors_
Declaration.pdf

PEACE CULTURE No.90

Delegation attended the first sessionof the Preparatory Committee forthe 11th NPT Review Conference
A Mayors for Peace delegation attended the first session of
the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) for the 11th Review
Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which met in Vienna,
Austria. Headed by President Kazumi Matsui (Mayor of Hiroshima), Vice President Shiro Suzuki (Mayor of Nagasaki), and Secretary General Takehiro Kagawa, the delegation
conveyed the hibakusha’s sincere desire for the abolition of
nuclear weapons and emphasized the need for advancing
nuclear disarmament to representatives of national governments and the UN.
Furthermore, to develop youth leadership for future peace
activities, Mayors for Peace sent high school students engaging in peace activities in Hiroshima to the PrepCom andorganized events and meetings including the Mayors for
Peace Youth Forum.
Speeches at the NGO presentations session of theFirst PrepCom
President Matsui mentioned that the G7 Hiroshima Summit provided an opportunity for the G7 leaders, including
those from nuclear-weapon States, to deeply understand the“will of Hiroshima”. He emphasized that the flawed theoryof nuclear deterrence, which is now in a state of collapse,
must be abandoned, and that
we must now
start taking tangible action for
the total elimination of nuclear weapons.
He concluded
his speech by
President Matsui delivering his statement
expressing thehope to witness a significant and unwavering step forward
in advancing concrete nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation measures during the session.
Vice President Suzuki elaborated further on the importanceof comprehending the realities of the atomic bombings,
emphasizing that it is the starting point on the path toward
a world without nuclear weapons and serves as a driving
force in bringing about change in the world. He continued,
stating, “Nuclear weapons are not only a threat confined
to Hiroshima and Nagasaki’s pasts; they are a present andfuture issue with which everyone living on Earth must
contend,” and closed his statement by sharing the message,“Make Nagasaki the last wartime atomic bombing site.”
Meetings with representatives of the G7 states
The Mayors for Peace delegation met with representatives

February 2024

of four of the G7 states: France, the United Kingdom, theUnited States, and Japan. In the meetings, the delegationreferred to the G7 Hiroshima Summit, mentioning that theSummit provided the G7 leaders with the opportunity todirectly encounter the realities of the atomic bombing. The
delegation also discussed the leaders’ messages written on
the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum guestbook, statingthat these entries demonstrate their deep understanding of
the “will of Hiroshima”, the conviction that nuclear weapons must never be used again. The delegation further calledon the representatives to take concrete actions toward aworld without nuclear weapons based on the Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament, which the G7 leaders issued
at the Summit. The delegation presented their willingness
to support policymakers to take tangible actions toward thetotal elimination of nuclear weapons and requested support
for the expansion of Mayors for Peace membership.
Moreover, the delegation requested Ambassador Ogasawara, Permanent Representative of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament, that Japan sign and ratify the Treaty
on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and, as its
first step, participate in the second Meeting of States Parties
to the TPNW as an observer.
Meetings with representatives of the UN
Meeting and delivering petition to UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
After President Matsui introduced the high school students and the activities they engage in, a student representative handed over the certificate of approximately 44,000
signatures calling for all states to join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons at the earliest date to UN Under-Secretary-General Nakamitsu, stating: “each and every
one of these signatures represents the people’s earnest hopeto abolish nuclear weapons.”
Ms. Nakamitsu responded with words of encouragement,
expressing that she gained courage from the tangible actions taken by the young people of the atomic-bombed cityof Hiroshima, standing on the streets to collect signatures
after considering how they can commit to the elimination of
nuclear weapons. She encouraged them that nothing stands

UN Under-Secretary-General Nakamitsu (center) andhigh school students from Hiroshima

9February 2024

PEACE CULTURE No.90

in their way to make persistent efforts, and keep raising
their voices to be heard.
After the meeting, a high school student who received
advice on mutual understanding and information dissemination from Ms. Nakamitsu said, “I realized the importanceof respecting diversity and sincerely listening to those withdifferent opinions. I want to try to communicate in a waythat appeals to the public.”
Meeting with Chair of the first session of the NPT
PrepCom
President Matsui referred to the G7 leaders’ encounter
with the realities of the atomic bombing on the occasion of
the G7 Hiroshima Summit, and expressed hope that the firstsession of the PrepCom serves as a starting point for new
processes for nuclear disarmament amid the current challenging international circumstances.
Chair Viinanen referred to the significance the peace messages from the atomic-bombed cities have for all the national representatives attending the session. Furthermore, he
expressed his view that the culmination of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation leads to a world without nuclear
weapons and emphasized the need to transform the current
situation facing the stagnation of nuclear disarmament.
In addition to the aforementioned representatives of national governments and the UN, the Mayors for Peace delegation met and exchanged views with PrepCom delegations
from Brazil, the Republic of Korea, Austria, and Kiribati.
EventsMayors for Peace Youth Forum
Mayors for Peace Youth Forum, held as a side event for
the PrepCom, featured presentations by eight groups ofyoung people from around the globe, including high school
students from Hiroshima and Vienna. Amid a crowded audience where many stood, the youth groups presented on
and discussed their hopes and thoughts on peace gained
through their peace activities, and called for the realizationof a peaceful, nuclear-weapons-free world. In response,
an audience member expressed their appreciation, noting
how deeply the person was impressed and encouraged by
the commitment of young Japanese individuals to nuclear
disarmament. Words of determination were also voicedfrom the floor, underscoring the importance of working
in solidarity among the gathered youth, building net-Presentations at the Forum10

works, and collectively striving toward their common goal.
To conclude the Forum, UN Under-Secretary-General Nakamitsu offered words of encouragement to the participants.
She expressed her hope that these young people, the leadersand driving force of the future, would deeply learn about
international relations and disarmament, so that they will
become influential communicators, capable of motivating
government officials and diplomats for positive changes.
After the forum, the high school students from Hiroshima
expressed their thoughts, saying, “We were happy that ouractivities were known,” “It was a new inspiration for me tohear stories from people from various countries.”
Executive Cities’ Meeting for Exchange of Views
Delegation members from 5 Executive Cities, including
Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Ieper (Belgium), Evora (Portugal),and Granollers (Spain), gathered for a meeting, presented
their own city’s activities, and actively exchanged theirviews.
Mayors for Peace Atomic Bomb Exhibition
At the venue of the first session of the NPT PrepComover the session’s period (July 31 – August 11), Mayors for
Peace hosted the Mayors for Peace Atomic Bomb Exhibition, aiming at having the PrepCom attendees and UN-related individuals deepen their understanding of the realitiesof the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, theinhumane nature of nuclear weapons, and the initiatives ofMayors for Peace. On July 31, President Matsui and Vice
President Suzuki received a visit at the Exhibition from theState Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Mr. Takei, andoffered an explanation of the exhibits.
(Mayors for Peace Administration Division)

Youth Peace Volunteer’s
Guide Activities
A total of 76 Youth Peace Volunteers for this fiscal year
began full-fledged guiding activities in September 2023
to convey the reality of the atomic bombing in English toforeigners visiting the Peace Memorial Park. Of the 76
volunteers, 54 newly joined in fiscal year 2022, undertook
training from May to July, actually guided JICA trainees
in August, and began guiding foreigners visiting the Peace
Memorial Park in September.
From April to November 2023, Youth Peace Volunteers
had guided 136 tourists from 22 countries and territories,
including the United States, Australia, and India. They havereceived many positive comments from international tourists who were satisfied with their guided tours. Some people
shed tears as they listened to the young people’s sincere
explanations.
Youth Peace Volunteers made comments such as “I wantto acquire a wide range of knowledge so that I can deal witha variety of topics from the tourists’ point of view,” and “I

PEACE CULTURE No.90

February 2024

pants actively exchanged opinions and asked questions withthe lecturers and appeared to be highly aware of the atomic
bombings and peace.
Participants made comments such as “I was able to deepen my understanding of the damage caused by the atomic
bombing and the dangers of nuclear weapons,” and “I renewed my determination to do my utmost for nuclear abolition from now on.”
Since the fundamental reason why nuclear weapons must
be abolished is the destruction of humanity through the useof nuclear weapons, we believe that this training program,which allows young diplomats and others to deeply understand the reality of the atomic bombing, will be of greatsignificance in helping to realize a “nuclear-free world”.

Youth volunteers during guiding activities

want to be able to communicate in my own words depending on the situation.” The young people will continue toimprove their own skills and convey the spirit of Hiroshima
to others.
We also hope that many high school and university students will participate in Youth Peace Volunteers project.
(Public Collaboration for Peace Division)

Participants in the UN Disarmament Fellowship Programme(Public Collaboration for Peace Division)

Acceptance of
UN Disarmament Fellows

Nine New A-Bomb Paintings Completed

Every year, this Foundation accepts participants from theUnited Nations Programme of Fellowships on Disarmament, which is implemented by the United Nations to train
disarmament experts. In 2023, the Foundation accepted
24 young diplomats and others from 24 countries for threedays from September 30 to October 2, and conducted various training programs, with the help of atomic bomb survivors and Youth Peace Volunteers.
During the training this time, participants listened to an
explanation of efforts toward nuclear abolition by Takehiro
Kagawa, Chairperson of this Foundation, a lecture by Keiko
Ogura on her A-bomb experience, and a lecture by the Radiation Effects
Research Foundation, and also
toured Hiroshima
Peace Memorial
Museum andPeace Memorial
Park.
In each program, participarticipants received lectures

In cooperation with Hiroshima Municipal Motomachi
Senior High School Creative Expression Course, this Foundation organizes the creation of A-bomb paintings, in which
students work with hibakusha to depict scenes that remain
deeply in hibakusha’s memories.
We are pleased to announce the completion of nine paintings that five hibakusha and nine students have been working on since last school year. Since 2007, more than 160
students have created 191 special paintings, which havebecome a valuable asset to convey the reality of the atomic
bombing.
On July 3, 2023, a ceremony to celebrate the completionof the paintings was held at Motomachi High School. In attendance were five hibakusha , the nine students who createdthe paintings, and other students in the Creative Expression
Course, as well as staffs of this Foundation and Motomachi
High School.
Ms. Junko Yamase, a hibakusha , and third-year student
Mitsuki Kimura created a work entitled “A mother holding
her baby, blood spurting from her arm, screaming ‘Help!’”

Hibakusha and high school students express
A-bomb experiences in paintings

11February 2024

According to Ms. Yamase, shortly after the bombing, awoman who lived next door and worked at a pharmacy,
with a baby in her arms and blood spurting from her arms,
went out on the street in front of her house to ask for help.
However, no one was able to help her, and everyone in theneighborhood was in a state of panic. Later, Ms. Yamase’s
brother, who happened to be at home, stopped the bleeding.
Unable to forget the sight of the woman who kept screaming, Ms. Yamase decided to use it as the subject of thepainting. She thanked Ms. Kimura, who painted the picture,saying, “This picture conveys the tragedy of war to future
generations.”

PEACE CULTURE No.90

Hiroshima City & Aki County
International Resident
Consultation Service
This service will offer guidance on life in Japan to
non-Japanese people living in Hiroshima City, Fuchu-cho,Kaita-cho, Kumano-cho and Saka-cho in Aki County.
Counselors who can speak Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese,
Portuguese, English, and Filipino can help you with various
notifications to government agencies and any problems you
may have. Moreover, foreign citizens who have recently
moved to Hiroshima City can receive information about lifein Hiroshima City from counselors.
Additionally, staff from the Immigration Bureau provide
on-site consultations from 1:30pm to 4pm on the second
Friday of every month. (Advance reservation is required.)
We maintain strict confidentiality. Feel free to use this service!
Location: Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, City
Diversity & Inclusion Division (3rd floor of International
Conference Center Hiroshima in Peace Memorial Park)
Days & Times: Monday to Friday, 9:00-16:00“A mother holding her baby, blood spurting from her arm,screaming ‘Help!’”
Created by: Mitsuki Kimura, Junko Yamase

Ms. Kimura found it difficult to express the three elementsof “a screaming face”, “gushing blood”, and “holding ababy in her arms”. She made her own screaming face manytimes to develop her image of the scene. She also worked
with Ms. Yamase over the phone and by e-mail until threedays before the completion of the painting regarding details such as the amount of blood spurting and how it was
spurting, as well as the color of the blood. She also said, “I
tried to convey to people viewing the painting what it was
actually like at the time and to create a work that would resonate in their hearts.”
Ms. Kimura concluded her speech at the completion ceremony by saying, “I hope that through this painting, as many
young people as possible will learn about the tragedy of war
and be inspired to think about how fortunate we are to havepeace, which is something we can never take for granted.”
The A-bomb paintings completed through the sincere
efforts of the hibakusha and students will be used in talks
by hibakusha to provide a concrete understanding of the
A-bomb experience, and the paintings will also be loaned
out and image data provided to citizens and the media to
continue to help pass on the reality of the atomic bombing
to future generations.
(Peace Memorial Museum Outreach Division)
12

Closed Days: National Holidays, August 6th and December 29th through January 3rd
Supported Languages: English, Chinese, Portuguese,
Spanish, Vietnamese and Filipino (Filipino is available
only on Fridays and 1st and 3rd Thursdays)
Telephone: 082-241-5010
E-mail: soudan@pcf.city.hiroshima.jp
URL: https://h-ircd.jp/en/guide/consultation-en.html

Information
Our newsletters (Japanese and English
version) can be read on our website at:(URL) https://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.
jp/hpcf/english/paper/

HIROSHIMA PEACE CULTURE FOUNDATION
1-2 Nakajima-cho Naka-ku Hiroshima
730-0811 JAPAN
Phone 082-241-5246
Email p-soumu@pcf.city.hiroshima.jp
URL https://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/hpcf/