(7 August 1998, The Chugoku Shimbun)

A ceremony in which paper lanterns are floated down a river took place in the two rivers situated in Hiroshima at the night of the August 6, 1998. This is a Buddhist ceremony to repose the souls of the victims. Colorful lanterns float down a river conveying bereaved families feelings for their love ones and people's wishes for peace. About 10,000 bright-colored lanterns swayed across the surface of the water.

At 6 o'clock in the evening, the opening ceremony took place at a riverbank of Motoyasu River at the Peace Memorial Park. Head of Hiroshima Peace Institute, Yasushi Takashi had remarks, "In order to create peace, the only way to achieve it is to work for it tirelessly and patiently. He offered a lantern said, "Everlasting Peace".

Bereaved families and citizens followed Akashi's act. Red, yellow and purple colors of lanterns floated down the river. When the night came, the brightness of lanterns reflected upon the dark surface of water. There were quite a few children who were praying at the site. The future of the country rests upon these children. "I wish for peace" and "No more wars", written on the lantern.

Natsuko Hamada (age 81) brought a hand-made lantern to pay her respect to the soul of her husband who died 18 years ago. "I remember him almost every day", she said. She was looking at the surface of water.

Picture: Various colors of lanterns floating down the river, conveying condolences for the dead and wishes for peace (7:30 PM, August, 6, 1998, Motoyasu River, Naka-Ward, Hiroshima)