Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation

August 2024

No.91 (semiannual)Children’s Peace Monument erected for
Sadako Sasaki (who died of leukemia at the age of 12,
10 years after the A-bombing), and all children
who died as the result of the A-bombing

A school building that was exposed to
the A-bomb (Honkawa Elementary School)

A tricycle that belonged to a 3-year-old
boy killed by the A-bombing (exhibited in
the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum)

Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims"Let all the souls here rest in peace;
For we shall not repeat the evil."

Atomic Bomb Dome
A symbol of “No more Hiroshimas.”

Students listening carefully to the lecturefrom a hibakusha

School excursions to Hiroshima give students from all over Japan a profound understanding of
the atomic bombing and the war from a multitude of perspectives.
(Photo: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims)

CONTENTS
Image: School excursion to Hiroshima……………………………………… ❶"The Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons underscore
the Urgency for Nuclear Disarmament" (Ambassador Alexander Kmentt)…… ❷"Initiatives by International Committee of the Red Cross for the
Elimination of Nuclear Weapons" (Shoko Hanzawa)………………………… ❸Memoir of the A-Bombing "Toward a Nuclear Free World" (Megumi Shinoda)…… ❺School excursions to Hiroshima as a starting point for children
to acquire a ‘culture of peace’ (Shiro Tani)…………………………………… ❻HIROSHIMA PEACE CULTURE FOUNDATION
1-2 Nakajima-cho Naka-ku Hiroshima, 730-0811 JAPAN
Phone: 082-241-5246 Email: p-soumu@pcf.city.hiroshima.jp

Peace education in Hiroshima including children outside Hiroshima……… ❽Mayors for Peace Delegation attended the Second Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW…… ❾Mayors for Peace Internship Program for staff……………………………… ❿Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb and Peace Exhibition in the UK……… ⓫Mayors for Peace Children’s Art Competition “Peaceful Towns” 2023 /Peace Memorial Museum Special Exhibition "Memories of Friends" /Peace Memorial Hall Special Exhibition"Akatsuki Corps in the Face of Apocalyptic Fires"………………………… ⓬URL: https://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/hpcf/

August 2024

PEACE CULTURE No.91

cussed on an international discussion of the humanitarian

The Humanitarian
Consequences of
Nuclear Weapons
underscore the Urgency
for Nuclear Disarmament
Ambassador Alexander Kmentt
Director of the Disarmament, Arms
Control and Non-Proliferation Departmentof the Austrian Foreign Ministryconsequences of nuclear weapons explosions and to assessin concrete terms and based on scientific evidence what
happens when nuclear weapons are used and on the complexity of risks are associated with these weapons.
From 2012-2015, several international conferences took
place dedicated to presenting new evidence on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and understanding therisks of these weapons. One particularly important elementon the humanitarian consequences was the new evidence

At its core, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weap-that even a so-called limited nuclear war – using a smallons (TPNW), also known as the nuclear ban treaty, makes

fraction of today’s arsenals – could lead to a nuclear winter.

the argument that the humanitarian consequences of nuclear

Huge amounts of soot would be transported by firestorms

weapons are too grave and their risks too high for nuclearthat would result from nuclear explosions into high layers

deterrence to be a sustainable basis for international securi-of the atmosphere. This would disperse across the globe

ty. This is underpinned by a growing body of new scientificleading to a nuclear winter lasting several years with sig-

evidence, which demonstrates how these consequencesnificant temperature drops in most moderate climate areas.

would be more global, cascading and catastrophic thanStaple food production would be severely impacted global-

previously understood. The same goes for the – increasing

ly. This new scientific research – a spin off from the climate– complexity of risks associated with nuclear weapons. Allchange science – had a great impact. If a nuclear war be-States and peoples anywhere on Earth are at risk of becom-

tween two states in the northern hemisphere leads to a fam-ing collateral damage in a multitude of ways of even a “lim-ine in the southern hemisphere, say sub-Saharan Africa, thisited” regional nuclear exchange. The Treaty’s conclusion

raises profound legal and ethical issues and questions about

is, thus, that the nuclear deterrence security paradigm is not

the legitimacy of the nuclear status quo.

only highly precarious, fragile and not sustainable but also

Not only, is it impossible to appropriately address theseriously affects and diminishes the security of non-nucle-

immediate humanitarian emergency and long-term conse-ar states and, ultimately, all humanity. This concern is notquences of nuclear weapon detonations, the new science

only justified, given that global nuclear risks are on the rise,highlighted that these consequences would be truly global.

it also expresses a legitimate and evidence-based security

In short, this was new scientific evidence that the practiceperspective. TPNW supporters have highlighted this per-of nuclear deterrence – if it goes wrong even in a so-called

spective countless times, in the treaty itself, though national“limited nuclear conflict” – means that all humanity andor joint statements and in the declarations adopted at their

the world as a whole ends up as collateral damage in much

First and Second Meetings of States Parties.

more severe ways than previously understood.

Nevertheless, the belief that nuclear weapons and nuclear

Similarly, understanding the complexities of nuclear risks

deterrence provide an “ultimate security guarantee” reigns

featured prominently in these conferences. Most states were

supreme in nuclear armed states and many of their allies.

shocked to learn historical cases that demonstrated how

This is the main reason that hinders actual progress towardrisky and vulnerable nuclear weapons system appeared tonuclear disarmament and progress towards a world without

be and how often humanity escaped from nuclear disaster

nuclear weapons. If we actually want to see such progress,

or accidents mostly through good fortune.

a paradigm shift is required and the discourse about nucle-

Maybe the most consequential aspect, however, was toar weapons needs to change. It needs to move beyond thegive a voice to survivors of nuclear weapons use and test-

assumption of nuclear deterrence stability and that nuclear

ing. Hibakusha attended the conferences and gave witness

weapons will in the end not be used in a conflict to a criticalaccounts of their harrowing experiences. Victims of pastand evidence-based challenge of these assumptions and thenuclear testing campaigns, such as from the Pacific or fromconcrete consideration of the humanitarian consequences of

Kazakhstan did the same. This moved the discussion from

nuclear deterrence failing.

being an abstract topic that is difficult to understand orThis was the focus of the so-called Humanitarian

imagine very much to a concrete human experiences. This

Initiative, which was the precursor of the TPNW. It fo-

new discussion about the humanitarian consequences and2

PEACE CULTURE No.91

August 2024

risks of nuclear weapons generated enormous momentum
among non-nuclear weapon states. By 2015, 159 States
supported a joint statement in the UN expressing their deep
concern about the humanitarian consequences of nuclear
weapons. 138 States supported a Pledge that Austria hadpresented – to “fill the legal gap for the prohibition of nuclear weapons (...) due to their unacceptable humanitarianconsequences and associated risks” and generated theProfile〔Alexander Kmentt〕
In his diplomatic career, Ambassador Kmentt has worked extensively on
disarmament and non-proliferation issues in several functions in Vienna,
Geneva and in the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive
Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization. From 2016-19, Kmentt served
as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Political andSecurity Committee of the EU. Kmentt is one of the architects of theinitiative on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and the
TPNW. Kmentt chaired the First Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW.

momentum for the negotiation and adoption in 2017 in the
United Nations on a ban treaty.
The TPNW is still a young treaty. As of this writing, 93
countries have signed the treaty, with 70 having ratified
it. The ban treaty has already had a significant impact bygiving voice to the majority of countries that are largely
disenfranchised by the global nuclear order. The universalization of the TPNW and the debate on the prohibition of
nuclear weapons are key objectives of the treaty. TPNW
signatories, together with civil society organizations, will

Initiatives by theInternational Committeeof the Red Cross
for the Elimination of
Nuclear Weapons
Shoko Hanzawa
Head of Delegation in Japan for the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

continue to pursue this goal gradually and steadily. Thisentails convincing more countries to join the treaty, as ev-

The ICRC’s efforts to abolish nuclear weapons date backery ratification and signature of the TPNW strengthens its

to 1945. On August 29, 1945, Fritz Bilfinger was the firstnormative value on a global scale. At the same time, it isforeign delegate of the ICRC to enter the A-bombed Hiro-equally important to continue the promotion of the underly-

shima. The next day, he sent a telegram to the ICRC Dele-ing rationale regarding the humanitarian consequences andgation in Tokyo, informing them of the dire situation on therisks of nuclear weapons, which underscores the urgency ofground and requesting immediate assistance. In response,

seeing progress on nuclear disarmament and moving away

Marcel Junod, who had just arrived as Head of Delegationfrom the precarious nuclear deterrence paradigm.

in Japan, formed a rescue team. Bilfinger’s telegram read,

The TPNW’s multilateral effort points to an alternative“VISITED HIROSHIMA THIRTIETH CONDITIONS

approach to the problem of nuclear weapons and security.

APPALLING STOP CITY WIPED OUT EIGHTY

While it cannot coerce anyone to give up its nuclear weap-

PERCENT ALL HOSPITALS DESTROYED OR

ons, the treaty can provide a convincing rationale for the

SERIOUSLY DAMAGED INSPECTED TWO

lack of legitimacy, legality, and sustainability of nuclear

EMERGENCY HOSPITALS CONDITIONS BEYOND

weapons through strong arguments and evidence. The ban

DESCRIPTION FULLSTOP EFFECT OF BOMB

treaty can lay the groundwork for when nuclear-armed

MYSTERIOUSLY SERIOUS STOP MANY VICTIMS

countries are ready to engage in concrete steps toward nu-

APPARENTLY RECOVERING SUDDENLY SUFFER

clear disarmament and away from the precarious nuclear

FATAL RELAPSE DUE TO DECOMPOSITION OF

deterrence paradigm.

WHITE BLOODCELLS AND OTHER INTERNAL

When most nuclear developments point in the opposite

INJURIES NOW DYING IN GREAT NUMBERS STOP

direction of nuclear disarmament and the leadership of nu-

ESTIMATED STILL OVER ONEHUNDREDTHOUSAND

clear-armed countries on this issue has all but disappeared,

WOUNDED IN EMERGENCY HOSPITALS LOCATED

the TPNW is an indispensable and potentially consequential

SURROUNDINGS SADLY LACKING BANDAGING

ray of hope against an otherwise very bleak backdrop of

MATERIALS MEDICINES STOP”

currently failing leadership on nuclear disarmament.
(May 2024)《The views expressed in this commentary are the author’s and do notnecessarily represent the positions of the Austrian Foreign Ministry.》

The following sentence is from the end of The Hiroshima
Disaster written by Junod, who, following Bilfinger, saw
the devastation of Hiroshima with his own eyes: “In conclusion, for someone who was a witness, albeit one month
later, of the dramatic consequences of this new weapon,
3August 2024

PEACE CULTURE No.91

there is no doubt in his mind that the world today is faced

One such initiative is the empowerment of young people.

with the choice of its continued existence or annihilation.”

Keita Takagaki, a native of Hiroshima, is passionate about

Shortly after the world’s first use of the atomic bomb, theworking for the abolition of nuclear weapons with the

ICRC expressed its clear stance against nuclear weapons

belief that this mission was entrusted to him by his twoand communicated to Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

great-grandfathers who were involved in atomic bomb

across the globe the view that nuclear weapons should be

relief efforts in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He has also par-eliminated. This stance has never wavered and continues toticipated in the past two meetings of the Conference of thethe present day.

Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

However, the debate over nuclear weapons has tradition-as an ICRC Youth Representative and made significant con-ally been dominated by security and geopolitical arguments,

tributions, such as reading the ICRC statement in front ofand nuclear weapons were seen as a useful tool to ensure

government representatives and, of the youth participating

national and regional security and to maintain geopoliticalat side events from around the world, he spoke out aboutbalance. Against this backdrop, on April 20, 2010, just prior

the reality of the atomic bombings. Through Mr. Takagaki’s

to the 2010 NPT Review Conference, Jacob Kellenberger,

activities, I met many people in Hiroshima, one of whomthen President of the ICRC, referring to the indescribable

is Chieko Kiriake, an atomic bomb survivor. My first en-

human suffering and threat to the very existence of hu-

counter with her was a visit to the former Hiroshima Army

manity posed by the use of nuclear weapons, stated that

Clothing Depot, an atomic-bombed building, in September

the use of nuclear weapons would generally be contrary to

2021. Ms. Kiriake, who lived with her family near the cloth-

the principles and rules of international humanitarian law

ing depot, saw the night sky of Hiroshima after the atomic

and called on nations to put an end to the era of nuclear

bomb was dropped, and it was divided into two parts: one

weapons for the interests of humanity. Following this ICRC

side was bright red with burning flames, and the otherstatement, the Red Cross Movement adopted a resolution

side had beautiful

reaffirming its long-standing and consistent position onstars. There is one

nuclear weapons and calling on states to work toward theirmessage that Ms.

abolition, along with a 4-year action plan. Subsequently,

Kiriake always has:the concept of a humanitarian approach to nuclear weapons“I think peace is ingained momentum, which led to the adoption and entry into

jeopardy. If you let

force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons,

your guard down

which will lead humanity toward a world without nuclear

for a moment, it

weapons.

will escape from

We are concerned that in response to the recent global

y o u r g ra sp , j u stsituation, there are continued threats of the use of nuclear

like a balloon. So,

weapons and that there is an increasing focus on nuclear

we all need to holdweapons once again. The bomb that was dropped on Hiro-it tightly and pro-shima in 1945 and killed about 140,000 people by the end

tect it so it doesn’tof that year had a nuclear output of 15 kilotons, but today, it

get away.” Taking

would be classified as a small nuclear weapon. No country

these important words from Ms. Kiriake, who experienced

or international organization is capable of meeting the enor-

the A-bombing, to heart, the ICRC will continue to do its

mous humanitarian needs, saving lives, that would result

utmost to promote a humanitarian approach toward the abo-from the use of nuclear weapons. The only way to prevent

lition of nuclear weapons.
(February 2024)

what cannot be addressed or dealt with is to prevent it fromhappening, and the only way to prevent nuclear weapons“The night sky of August 6, 1945”
Drawn by Chieko Kiriake

Profilefrom being used again is to abolish them. The Treaty on the〔Shoko Hanzawa〕

Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will play an indispensable

Joined the ICRC in 2019; worked to promote humanitarianprinciples and international humanitarian law as Humanitarian
Affairs Advisor to the Delegation in Japan. Assumed position of
Head of Delegation in Japan from June 2023. Prior to the ICRC,
worked in the field of humanitarian assistance for more than 10
years, including at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

role in achieving this goal. The ICRC will continue to urge
all States to sign and ratify this important treaty.
The ICRC Delegation in Japan is also focusing its efforts
on initiatives to achieve the abolition of nuclear weapons.
4

PEACE CULTURE No.91

August 2024

Memoir of the A-bombing;Toward a Nuclear Free World
Megumi Shinoda
Atomic bomb survivor registered with
our Foundation

August 6, 1945
I was in the second grade of girls’ school (age 13). That
day I was scheduled to go to work on building demolition
work near the Tsurumi-bashi Bridge at the foot of Hijiyama
Hill, but I was tired from day after day of work and decided
to take the day off. In the morning, a neighbor lady cameto borrow a millstone, and my younger brother stood up
cheerfully and offered her a bowl of roasted beans, saying,“You should have some too.”People fleeing the city after the atomic
bombing (by Akina Niimiya)

At that moment, with a roar, a huge flame entered theheaded toward my house, step by step, looking only at myback of the house. The sliding paper door near me burst

own toes. By the time I reached home, it was getting dark.

into flames, and I thought, “I have to pour water on it,” andI was informed that my older sister, who was working at

started to get up... At that moment, the tatami floor underMitsubishi Heavy Industries, was safe, and my other older

my feet slid down to the ground, and I fell too, holding mysister who was mobilized as a student at a factory in thehead to protect myself. The blast that came immediately

mountains returned safely. However, my sister Sachiyo,

afterwards blew everything away, leaving a one-meter hole

who was working at a credit union in Sakan-cho, closest toin the roof and the house with only the pillars remaining.

the hypocenter, did not return.

The futon that was hanging out to dry in the yard was

My father, who was working at the army clothing depot,

blown through three rooms and into the kitchen, along withcame home in the middle of the night. All I could managea clothesline that had snapped into an L-shape. My motherto say was, “Sachiyo is still not home...” My father’s eyes

was severely burned on her face and limbs, and my younger

were wet with tears, as if he had guessed everything.

brother was severely burned on his hand that was holdingout a bowl.

Went to the city to look for my sister

It was not safe to stay home, so I went to my mother’s

On the 7th, my father and I went to Yokogawa to look for

aunt’s house to borrow a big cart to carry the two burned

my sister, Sachiyo, thinking that she might have returned topeople. The houses in the neighborhood looked seriously

Yokogawa, because the head office where she worked wasdamaged.

located there. When we opened the burnt-out door of the

When I told her what had happened, she pushed the bighead office, we found ourselves in another hellish scene.

cart up to the road on the bank and told me to bring them toPeople were lying on the ground, their bodies red and swol-

her quickly.

len, their eyes vacant. As if they had sensed our presence,

On my way home along a straight road in the rice pad-they kept repeating, “Mother…Water…” I stood there, un-dies, I saw what looked like a black belt coming toward me

able to take a single step inside. My father looked inside forfrom the distance. As I approached, I saw it was a group

my sister, but she was not there.

of people, all with mussed hair, reddish-black faces, hands

We headed south on the train road to Tokaichi. There,

stretched out in front of them around their chests, and some-the train was burned to the ground, and one person wasthing dangling from their fingertips. Their clothes were infound dead in his seat. When we looked toward the Aioi

tatters, and they looked like ghosts. Dozens, hundreds ofbridge near the hypocenter, we saw lying there the charred

such people were coming toward me. I was so scared thatdead bodies of people whose gender was unknown. SomeI wondered if I had wandered into hell. I looked down andof the corpses could be identified as soldiers by the gaiters
5August 2024

PEACE CULTURE No.91

on their burnt legs. Three horses were also burned to death,cancer during a medical checkup and underwent major

their bellies torn open and overflowing with yellow guts.

surgery at the age of 78. More than 78 years after the war,

We put our hands together in front of the credit union andhibakusha are still anxious.

prayed, “Dear God and Buddha, please protect Sachiyo.”
As we walked north along the river bank from the Aioi

What I want to tell you

Bridge back to our house, we saw many evacuees gathered

War is evil. It is said that there are about 13,000 nuclear

at Oshiba Elementary School, my old school. As we walked

bombs in the world today, and that they are tens or hun-back to the house, I heard a thin voice from the back of one

dreds of times more powerful than the “Little Boy” that wasof the big carts say, “You must be Sera (my maiden name),

dropped on Hiroshima. The use of such weapons would de-aren’t you?” I looked into the person’s face, but could not

stroy the Earth. I will continue to share my A-bomb experi-

recognize her because her face was red and swollen and herence with as many people as possible so that we can have aphysiognomy had completely changed. I knew the person

peaceful world without war and without nuclear weapons.

pulling the big cart, so I realized that the person was my

In conclusion, I would like to share the words of Ichiroclassmate, Okada-san. I was unharmed.... I realized that if

Moritaki, an ethicist and activist against atomic and hydro-

I had gone to the building evacuation yesterday, I would

gen bombs, and Suzuko Numata, an A-bomb survivor who

have ended up like this or even died, and I could not find

was my high school teacher.

any words to say to Okada-san. I wonder what happened to“Nuclear weapons and mankind cannot coexist.”

Okada-san after that. I will never forget this until the day I“Peace cannot come from a heart of hate.”die.
We could not find my sister that day. I felt I had to look
for my sister, but for now I had to clean up our broken
home and rest. I was very happy to be able to sleep on thetatami mats. But from that day on, my mother never lay
down at night, but sat leaning against a pillar, waiting every
night for my sister Sachiyo’s return.

Profile〔Megumi Shinoda〕
Born in March 1932. When she was 13 years old, in the second
grade of girls’ school, she was exposed to the atomic bomb at herhome 2.8km from the hypocenter and left school due to poor health.
She later graduated from Yasuda Gakuen High School.
Since 2017, she has been commissioned by the Hiroshima Peace
Culture Foundation to serve as a witness to the A-bomb experience.

Anxiety that continues to this day
On August 15, 1945, I learned of the defeat in the war
through the broadcast of the voice of Japan’s Emperor. My
father had foreseen the defeat, and I knew that what he had
predicted came true. After the war, my brother and cousin
were safely demobilized.
The bandage on my younger brother Haruki’s arm
was removed by mid-September, but diarrhea, one of the
A-bomb diseases, began around October. He would say

School excursions to Hiroshima
as a starting point for children
to acquire a ‘culture of peace’-From the results of a survey of each schoolShiro Tani
Vice Chairperson, Hiroshima Peace
Culture Foundation

things like, “I don’t want sweet potatoes,” or “I don’t eat
pumpkin,” much to my mother’s dismay. I can imagine
how difficult it must have been for my mother, as there was

The number of children visiting Hiroshima on school ex-

nothing else she could feed her sick child. I still cannot for-cursions was approximately 344,000 in FY2023. Assuming

get the way she gently wiped her tears from her eyes whilethat each child goes on a school excursion to Hiroshimahiding. My brother, emaciated like a skeleton, passed away

only once, this indicates the significant fact that about one-on October 22 with his mother holding him tightly to her

third of children throughout Japan have visited our city. The

chest, joining Sachiyo.

percentages of visits by region were 102% for the Chugoku

A few years later, my father developed liver cancer, mymother stomach cancer, and my eldest sister lung cancer.

region, 76% for the Shikoku region, 49% for the Kansai region, and 22% for the Kanto region.

My brother and cousin both died of leukemia, probably

In order to expand such school excursions to Hiroshima,from digging up ashes from the burnt ruins of the bombing

we conducted a survey of 1,121 elementary, junior highduring restoration work. I was diagnosed with pancreaticand high schools across Japan this March, and received re-6

PEACE CULTURE No.91

sponses from 41%, or 456 schools. I really appreciate theircooperation.

August 2024

peace in the world.
Thirdly, the needs of the schools were clarified.
In terms of developing a more diverse peace education

Three important matters that were found in this survey canprogram, schools were highly interested in the following

be mentioned here.

items: 1) the Peace Museums at Honkawa and Fukuromachi

First, we have found that children come to feel war andElementary Schools, 2) professional guides such as Hiro-the atomic bombing as real things through the Hiroshima

shima Peace Volunteers, 3) peace gatherings at the Peaceschool excursion.

Memorial Hall, 4) the new soccer stadium as a lunch site,

The synergy of various learning experiences such as

and 5) exchange with children in Hiroshima. On the othertours, lectures and peace gatherings conducted on site in

hand, there were also requests for support for 6) easing

Hiroshima, such as the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peacethe crowding at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, 7)

Memorial Museum, which show how Hiroshima was at that

accommodating exhibits and other activities according totime; the people of Hiroshima, including hibakusha, whochildren's characteristics, and 8) support for prior learning

speak about peace in the first person; the unique atmosphereat each school.

of Peace Memorial Park that inspires visitors to pursuit
world peace; the foreign tourists who visit the park withIn response to this survey, we would like to provide feed-

great enthusiasm to learn about the A-bombing; and theback on the first and second benefits of peace education todamage suffered by children of the same generation and theschools that currently offer school excursions to Hiroshima

grief of their families, all contribute to the realization of aso that they may be useful for them, and also to schools

real and vivid experience of the tragedy and foolishness ofoutside of western Japan, that don't usually offer school

war, and the horror of the A-bomb damage. In other words,

excursions to Hiroshima to deepen their awareness of thethey will begin to think about it not as something that hap-need for peace education and the importance of the Hiro-pened in the past or in other regions, but as something thatshima school excursion. Through such activities, we will

feels like one’s own experience or the experience of a loved

also strive to develop a methodology for peace education inone.

Hiroshima.

Secondly, the process by which children develop a sense

Furthermore, based on the third point, regarding theof respect for peace, taking this realization as a startingneeds of the schools, Hiroshima would like to develop con-point, has become clear.

crete necessary support measures.

War and the atomic bomb are the direct opposite ofpeace, so understanding them as reality leads to the realization that the peaceful days we used to take for granted
should not in fact be taken for granted at all, but were hard

Comment by Yumiko Suzuki, Executive
Vice-President, Hiroshima University

earned through the efforts and many sacrifices of our ances-

Many elementary, junior high,tors. This is why peace is not something that can be given

and high schools have chosen

to us in silence, but rather, it awakens in us the awareness

Hiroshima as their school ex-

that we must actively protect it.

cursion destination to provide

This awareness will grow into an awareness of our own

children with peace education.

commitment to peace.

This survey revealed that actu-

Specifically, children will understand that all forms ofviolence must be rejected, and that even if a conflict arises,
it must be resolved peacefully through discussion. This will
be accompanied by efforts that children can make in their
daily lives, such as practically valuing relationships with
their friends, obeying rules, and doing the right thing.
Furthermore, as members of society, they will recognize
their responsibility to pass on their war and A-bomb experiences to future generations, and to raise their voices withan interest in the abolition of nuclear weapons and lasting

ally visiting the A-bombed cityof Hiroshima and experiencing the reality of theatomic bombing is a highly effective way to develop
children’s awareness of peace, as it leads them to feel
war and the atomic bombing in a realistic way. We
hope that school excursions to Hiroshima will spreadthroughout Japan, to continue to convey the importance of building a peaceful world that transcends
time and countries.
7

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PEACE CULTURE No.91

Peace education in Hiroshima including children outside Hiroshima－Main opinions at the Hiroshima City Comprehensive Education Council (February 1, 2024) －General remarks

Detailed comments⃝In order to create a sustainable International City of⃝It is important to increase the number of children wel-Peace and Culture, Hiroshima should simultaneously

comed to Hiroshima through school excursions andaim for two goals in peace education: 1) to encourage

the Hiroshima Peace Study Acceptance Program. The

children in Hiroshima to acquire a culture of peace

children of Hiroshima must also have the opportunityand become active on the world stage, and 2) to en-

to communicate peace in these programs, as this be-courage many young people outside of Hiroshima,comes peace education for them as well. We should

in Japan and overseas, to experience and learn about

actively encourage the proactive participation of Hiro-a culture of peace in the city of Hiroshima. This isshima children in the program.

because in order to build world peace, we need to⃝In order to increase acceptance of school excursions,promote a culture of peace, not only in Japan, but

we should enhance the peace education package of-throughout the world.

fered in Hiroshima while widely publicizing the learn-⃝The above activities to promote a culture of peace ining benefits to teachers in charge of school excursions.

civil society are unique to Hiroshima, so the City of

As items to be incorporated in the future, the use ofHiroshima should make its presence felt through theseVR and the enhancement of inter-school exchange

activities. There is great power in continuing to com-would be useful.

municate these things.

⃝The Youth Volunteer Organizations that play a part⃝The meaning of ‘peace’ in this case must be taken

in receiving participants should be expanded in co-broadly, including, of course, the absence of war andoperation with schools, and the practical English lan-conflict, but also the denial of all forms of violence.

guage training required for peace activities should beThat is, the building of a society in which people canenhanced. Furthermore, a consistent framework forlive together peacefully in a spirit of tolerance and findpeace volunteering among young people should behope for the future. For this reason, sports and the arts

reestablished, including private schools, with the aim

are also effective teaching materials that can help peo-of enhancing human resource development beyond

ple experience peace.

school boundaries and age groups.

⃝Considering the importance of mutual recognition of⃝In school education in Hiroshima City, with the help

peace through exchange and dialogue between theof teachers and a budget, and with the cooperation ofchildren of Hiroshima, who have learned about peace

the local community, the city could promote advanced

culture, and the younger generation in Japan andpeace education as Peace Education Research Promo-

abroad who have visited Hiroshima, the two goals oftion Schools. It will also be important to improve thepeace education in (1) and (2) overlap. It is also im-training and development of teachers.

portant to pay consideration to nurturing a rich sensi-⃝It is necessary to strengthen the system and secure ativity to respect peace, respect for self and others, andbudget to build a new system in which the Board ofa spirit of compassion, taking into account issues such

Education and the Peace Culture Foundation will workas bullying.

together toward the goal of raising peace awarenessamong the younger generations.

8

PEACE CULTURE No.91

August 2024

Mayors for Peace Delegation attended the Second Meeting ofStates Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
My impressions on the Second Meeting
At the Second Meeting of the States Parties, we called on government officials from various
countries to work together to advance efforts toward the realization of a world free of nuclear
weapons, and emphasized the efforts of Mayors for Peace.
Attending this Meeting has once again solidified my belief that nuclear weapons should never exist. Going forward, we would like to focus on the younger generation, who will inherit theatomic bomb survivors’ desire for peace, and further our efforts to help them understand the reality of the atomic bombings and the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons, and to inspire themPresident
Kazumi Matsuiwith the determination to never allow nuclear weapons to be used again.
The current international situation regarding nuclear weapons is extremely severe, but that isexactly why it is so important to hold up the high ideal and increase the number of supporters.

We would like to further expand the number of member cities of Mayors for Peace, with the goal of reaching 10,000
member cities.
Mayors for Peace sent a delegation, including President

izing a nuclear-weapon-free world and to take steady steps

Kazumi Matsui (Mayor of Hiroshima), Vice President

together to achieve it.

Shiro Suzuki (Mayor of Nagasaki), and Secretary General
Takehiro Kagawa (Chairperson of the Hiroshima Peace
Culture Foundation), to the Second Meeting of States Parties (2MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear
Weapons (TPNW), held in New York City in November
2023, and they called for increased efforts to further assure
the effective implementation of the TPNW, and emphasized
the need for advancing nuclear disarmament toward the total elimination of nuclear weapons to the representatives ofnational governments and the UN.
Moreover, Mayors for Peace hosted a joint side event forthe 2MSP with ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish
Nuclear Weapons) aimed at building momentum for achieving a peaceful world free of nuclear weapons.

President Matsui delivering his speech

Speeches at the General Exchange of Viewsof the TPNW 2MSP

Meetings with Delegation Representatives

President Matsui delivered the Mayors for Peace statement

delegation of Ireland, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Australia,

during the General Exchange of Views session. He pointed

and exchanged views on future efforts to improve the effec-

out that distrust is escalating between nuclear-armed states

tiveness of the TPNW and the importance of education forand non-nuclear-weapon states due to nuclear threats, andyoung people, and further expressed hope for future possi-

this could potentially lead to a situation that completely

ble collaborations to expand Mayors for Peace membership.

undermines the fervent plea of the hibakusha. He expressed

They also met and exchanged views with the United Na-

the resolve of Mayors for Peace to foster a sense of peacetions Secretary-General, the President of TPNW 2MSP, theamong citizens and to promote a culture of peace that ne-

Executive Director of ICAN, and members of the Unitedgates all forms of violence, and concluded his speech by

States House of Representatives.

Mayors for Peace representatives met with the head of theappealing to all delegations to share the same goal of real9

August 2024

PEACE CULTURE No.91

EventsMayors for Peace and ICAN Joint Side Event
Mayors for Peace and ICAN hosted a Joint Side Event forthe 2MSP, Voices of Civil Society for a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World.

Mayors for Peace Internship Programfor international and domestic staff
Mayors for Peace has been implementing the Mayors for

The event began with opening remarks from Ms. Parke,

Peace Internship Program in which we invite young offi-

ICAN’s Secretary General, and was facilitated by Ms. Suzu-

cials from international and domestic member cities to theka Nakamura, representative of KNOW NUKES TOKYO.

City of Hiroshima. The purpose of this internship is for

As part of the “Message from Hiroshima” session, fol-interns to gain a deep understanding of the reality of thelowing an introduction from President Matsui, Mr. Toshiyu-

atomic bombing, and then, after returning to their home

ki Mimaki, a hibakusha of the Hiroshima atomic bombing,city, to promote efforts for peace while strengthening col-shared experiences of his family and his own. He calledlaboration with the secretariat and other cities.

upon policymakers around the globe to take action for theAs part of the “Message from Nagasaki” session, follow-《Overseas Member Cities》
For two weeks from January 17th to 31st, the Mayors foring an introduction from Vice President Suzuki, Dr. Masao

Peace Secretariat hosted two interns, Ms. Montserrat CataTomonaga, a hibakusha of the Nagasaki atomic bombing,

Llado from Granollers (Spain), a Vice President City andmentioned his involvement in the formation process of thethe Chair of the European Chapter, and Ms. Phoebe Lockett

TPNW, and urged for a sense of solidarity among citizens

from Wellington (New Zealand), an Executive City. They

across the globe.

also interacted with students at Hiroshima Municipal Funai-

eradication of war and the elimination of nuclear weapons.

Following a presentation from young representatives
from the U.S. and Germany, the “Interactive session between the hibakusha and youth” was held.

ri High School, which is passionate about peace activities.
Ms. Cata Llado said, “The European branch’s 10 executive
cities hold monthly web conferences to exchange opinions.
In the future, I would like to move forward with initiatives
for Peace Culture Month,” and Ms. Lockett said, “In Wellington, a ‘Peace Walk’ has been established. I would like tohold an atomic bomb poster exhibition in the future.”
We hope that they will continue to enhance their cooperative relationships with other cities in the future.

Joint Side Event

The event concluded with closing remarks by Mayor
Frank Cownie of Des Moines, U.S., Vice President of Mayors for Peace. He introduced his city’s initiatives and appealed for increased support for the activities of Mayors for
Peace.
Mayors for Peace Atomic Bomb Exhibition
At the venue of the 2MSP, over the Meeting’s period (Nov.

Ms.Teruko Yahata (middle), an atomic bomb survivor, and twointerns

27-Dec. 1), Mayors for Peace hosted the Mayors for Peaceattendees and UN-related individuals deepen their under-《Japanese Member Cities》
For three days from January 31st to February 2nd, we accept-

standing of the realities of the atomic bombings of Hiroshi-

ed 19 interns from 19 member cities in Japan, from Hokkai-ma and Nagasaki, the inhumanity of nuclear weapons, anddo to Kagoshima Prefecture.

Atomic Bomb Exhibition, aimed at having the 2MSP

the initiatives of Mayors for Peace.
(Mayors for Peace Administration Division)10

In addition to learning about the reality of the atomic
bombing and the humanitarian approach toward nuclear ab-

PEACE CULTURE No.91

August 2024

olition, they also had a Q&A session and exchanged opin-

fast, Northern Ireland, from January 8 to February 28, 2024.

ions about the efforts of their home cities.

On display were 20 artifacts, including an armband worn byGroup work was also conducted on the theme of “peacea junior high school student who was exposed to the atomic

promotion projects that member cities should carry out inbombing while working as a mobilized student, a replica of

the future.” Each group expressed their opinions such asa burnt-out lunch box, and paper cranes folded by Sadako“We want to train the junior high school students we sent

Sasaki, as well as 30 panels explaining the reality of theto Hiroshima and Nagasaki to become peace leaders in theatomic bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

region. Therefore, could we consider continuing interaction

The exhibition in Durham was held at the Oriental Mu-

with children of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?” and “Is it possi-

seum at Durham University. During the exhibition period,

ble to relive the war using VR and AR?”workshops on origami paper cranes were held, and on Au-

Through this program, we have received comments suchgust 1, Hiroshima City and Durham City were connected

as “Working in groups and exchanging opinions with offi-

online, with A-bomb survivor Kiyomi Kono giving a testi-

cials of other cities was a very valuable experience,” andmony of her experience of the atomic bombing. In addition,“We would like to carry out various efforts to foster peacein September, we dispatched volunteer readers to the areaawareness among citizens,” from participants.

to read A-bomb poems and accounts of the A-bombing.
In a survey conducted in Durham, respondents left comments such as “the exhibition was a very timely reminderof the devastation caused by nuclear weapons,” “Witnessing the inhumanity inflicted by humans upon their fellow
human beings left me utterly appalled,” and “All leaders ofcountries that have or are planning to have nuclear weapons
should visit this exhibition.”Group work

(Mayors for Peace Administration Division)

Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomband Peace Exhibition in the UK－In a historic city with a World Heritage Site, andat the main site of the Northern Ireland conflict－

Visitors viewing the exhibit with great interest (Durham City)

Since 1995, the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki havejointly held the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb and

The Linen Hall was the venue for the exhibition in Bel-

Peace Exhibition to convey the reality of the atomic bomb-

fast City. During the exhibition period, workshops on origa-

ings and to foster international public opinion toward themi paper cranes and calligraphy were held, as well as two

abolition of nuclear weapons.

A-bomb testimonies by Teruko Yahata, an A-bomb survi-

The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb and Peacevor, via online connection between Hiroshima and Belfast.

Exhibition was

At that time, a survivor of the Northern Ireland conflict

held in the cityalso shared her own experience, saying, “By coming intoof Durham, En-

contact with the experience of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I

gland, from Juneam reminded of the history of our city and reconfirmed the

7 to September

preciousness of peace and reconciliation, which I would

10, 2023, imme-

like to pass on to the younger generation.” In this way, par-diately after theticipants shared the message that tragic history must never

G7 Hiroshima

be repeated.

Hajime Hayashi, Ambassador of Japan to
Summit, and in
the United Kingdom, and his wife visit theexhibition before the opening (Durham City) the city of Bel-(Peace Memorial Museum Outreach Division)
11August 2024

PEACE CULTURE No.91

Selection results: Mayors for Peace Children’s Art Competition “Peaceful Towns” 2023
Mayors for Peace President’sAward winner
Hina Suemitsu in Seiyo City,
Japan (8 years old)
《Message from Hina Suemitsu》
I made sunflowers by cutting paper.
In the language of flowers, sunflowers have a meaning of “Looking
into the future”. I created this work
hoping that the peaceful days, when
we hold hands with our family andpeople around us and smile together, will continue forever.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Special Exhibition

Memories of Friends

The junior high school students who survived the atomic
bombing of Hiroshima suffer lingering guilt over their deceased friends. When walking on the street, holding handswith their loved ones, seeing the growth of their children or
grandchildren, and noticing their parents getting old, they
suddenly recall that day. For them, the Cenotaph is also aplace where they can reunite with their deceased friends.
This exhibition displays belongings left behind by thedeceased schoolchildren, drawings, diary record, as well
as video testimonies of A-bomb survivors, to introduce thesituation which decided their fates: dead or alive, the hardships and burdens of the surviving students, and the records
that the survivors left as prayers for the repose of their de-

Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the
Atomic Bomb Victims Special Exhibition

Akatsuki Corps in the Face of Apocalyptic Fires:

We received 4,766 submissions from children in 115 member cities of Mayors for Peace in 19 countries around theworld, and 15 of these were selected as winners.
The winning work will be printed on file folders and used
to advocate for peace in various settings, such as United
Nations conferences.
All the winning works are introduced on
the Mayors for Peace website along with amessage from children. They are all wonderful works, so please take a look.
(Mayors for Peace Administration Division) Mayors for Peace
websitePeriod March 1, 2024 - September 10, 2024
Venue P eace Memorial Museum, East Building 1FSpecial Exhibition Roomceased friends.
This exhibition isdesigned to be easily
understood by children. We expect a lotof children to comeand experience it.

Entrance to the venue【Contact information】
Peace Memorial Museum
Curatorial Division
Phone: 082-241-4004
Museum’s website

Period March 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025
Venue P eace Memorial Hall, Special Exhibition Area
(Upper Level)

Hiroshima and the Child Soldiers of the Suicide Attack SquadAt the end of the Pacific War, the child soldiers of thespecial cadet program who were assigned to the Army
Marine Headquarters (known as the Akatsuki Corps) wereassembled on Etajima Island and began training for suicide
attacks upon enemy ships using a single-seater plywood
motorboat known as a Maru-Re.
Although they were well awareof their certain deaths, what
awaited them was not a suicide
attack, but the atomic bombingof Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.
They were ordered to rush to thecity of Hiroshima and provide
aid even if it meant disregarding
their main duties, but what did
they see and feel in the city ofdeath? This special exhibition
12

will explore their thoughts and experiences. You can also feelthe reality of the A-bombing through this exhibition.
Featured Exhibits
Visitors can view a film based on first-hand experiences of
the atomic bombing (approx. 30 min.).
Related materials such as military uniform, chest badge,
and water bottles of former members of the Akatsuki Unit are
on display, and visitors will be able to use the touch screen tobrowse through 18 accounts of A-bomb testimonies.
In addition, a full-scale replica of the Maru-Re boat (5.6m
long×1.8m wide×1.0m high) is displayed at the south entrance.

【Contact information】
Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hallfor the Atomic Bomb Victims
Phone: 082-543-6271

Hall’s website