3rd Essay Contest on a “Nuclear Weapons Free Future” U-20 Grand Prize Winning Work
From Childhood Fears to Global Action: A Letter to World Leaders
Riki Ishiyama
Dear World Leaders,
What if there were no tomorrow?
What if today were the last day I saw my family?
These questions about the dangers of nuclear weapons kept me up at night, terrified by thethought that your arsenal has the power to obliterate my entire hometown with a single switch.
Hiding under my soft white bed sheets, my nine-year-old self would try to block thesenightmarish thoughts so I could live in peace, not fear. But as long as these weapons breathe on
the same planet as I do, this fear will never cease.
While these questions no longer keep me up at night, I am left bewildered by your ongoing
efforts to develop these weapons today. You have repeatedly reassured us that we must neverforget the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, yet your actions betray your promise. You havenow built a world where over 12,000 warheads coexist with the 106,825 survivors that still livetoday.
The same 106,825 survivors watched the blood and tears of countless individuals, who wereerased in an instant by the massive mushroom cloud that engulfed the cities of Hiroshima andNagasaki.
The 106,825 survivors who saw children turn to ashes, leaving no trace of their existence for
their grieving families.
The 106,825 survivors are plagued by diseases that cling to them—agonizing pain that haunts
them from that fateful day, etching scars deep into their skin and torturing them inside out.
You’ve tried to persuade us, the younger generation, that these weapons are essential for
maintaining global stability and preventing world wars, citing that there hasn't been a world war
in the past 80 years. However, just because your country hasn't been directly involved in conflictdoesn't mean that wars aren’t happening elsewhere. According to the UN, in which you haveparticipated, last year alone saw over 33,000 civilian deaths in conflicts, including those
involving nations with nuclear weapons, such as Russia and Israel.

1

I was blessed—or perhaps cursed—with roots deeply etched into my DNA that revealed to me
the unspeakable horrors of nuclear weapons. These terrors seep into my very marrow as if
ancient shadows were whispering their darkest secrets from the abyss of a long-forgottennightmare.
The other two billion children are not so fortunate. I’ve talked to classmates outside of Japan
who didn’t even know about Nagasaki. These were the same people who tried to convince methat the world needs nuclear weapons, arguing that the bombings and the killing of innocent
Japanese civilians in Hiroshima and Nagasaki were justified.
I cannot describe to you how furious I was listening to the words “justified” and “Hiroshima”
come out in the same sentence. It tore me apart, like a knife slicing through the fabric of moralityand history.
But I cannot blame them for their opinions. After all, they, too, are human like me.
They have been misled into believing that nuclear weapons are a form of peacekeeping. Becauseof this misinformation, they haven’t had the chance to learn the true impact of these weapons.
That’s why I chose a different approach: creating an opportunity to share my experiences andhelp others understand reality.
Alongside my history teacher, I created an opportunity for my classmates to reconsider theirviews on nuclear weapons by teaching them about the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The reactions were profound when I showed them the details of the aftermath. Many were left inshock, realizing for the first time that the weapons you possess today have the potential to causeeven greater destruction.
Later, I attended a conference called Hiroshima Junior International Forum, where I had thechance to discuss the world’s current situation with high school students. From countries thatpossess nuclear weapons, like the U.S., to those without, like Germany, we gathered to share ourideas and approaches. It struck me that, despite our different backgrounds and beliefs, we all
share a common goal: guiding the world toward peace. The conference gave me hope that a
unified understanding is within reach. I wish you could have been there to witness ourcollaboration and see the bridge of hope we were building for a brighter future.
These two experiences—teaching and discussing the topic of nuclear weapons—showed me that
opportunities are not merely given; they are created. That is why Benjamin Franklin's quoteresonates with all of us, regardless of our nationality:"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn."2

We need to create opportunities for people, especially children, around the world to learn aboutand understand the reality of nuclear weapons. It is time for us to confront our fears. As future
leaders, we must start discussing the realities of these weapons.
I am addressing this letter to you, world leaders, because you hold influence on a global scale,not just within your nations. My focus is on your role as world leaders, rather than as leaders ofindividual countries.
Consider the power you possess. The resources that are available to you. Now it is up to you to
decide whether you will build a boat of hope or allow the world to sink into an abyss ofignorance and danger.
You are role models for people of all ages, including young children who aspire to become world
leaders like you. Imagine their confusion and anger upon discovering that you had the power toeliminate all nuclear weapons but chose to do nothing.
You have the opportunity to provide these future leaders with valuable knowledge and guidance.
By fostering an environment where learning about the reality of nuclear weapons is encouraged,
you can help shape a brighter and safer future for everyone.
What if there were no tomorrow?
What if today were the last day I saw my family?
I hope these nine-year-old nightmares end with me.
With hope for a peaceful future,
Fourth Generation Atomic Bomb Survivor

3