At the Peace Memorial Ceremonies in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Pondering peace on the 62nd anniversary of the bombings
Like every year, August 6th, the day Hiroshima was bombed, and August 9th, the day Nagasaki was bombed, were hot and humid. Still, people came from all over the world to attend peace ceremonies in these cities and pay tribute to the victims.
For this issue, the junior writers were presented with two challenges: one was covering the ceremonies and related events and the other was asking visitors the question "What will you do to make the world a more peaceful place?"
In regard to the events we attended, we gave each one a grade. We would like the events that weren't rated as highly to be made more engaging for the younger generation.
And about the question we posed to visitors, we asked a total of 64 people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They responded with a range of ideas, including small actions that anyone can undertake and large responsibilities for nations to assume.
Peace Memorial Ceremony
It was our first time to attend the Peace Memorial Ceremony. Beforehand, we imagined that only VIPs, such as politicians, attended the ceremony so we were surprised to see many young people and visitors from abroad.
In the ceremony, two elementary school students from Hiroshima gave a speech called "Our Commitment to Peace" and pledged not to let the tragedy of Hiroshima become "ancient history". Akiko Kanehara, 74, whose husband's name was added to the list of A-bomb victims last year, was moved by the children's words. "It made me cry," she said. "I felt that the younger generation is facing this matter seriously."
At the same time, we were dissatisfied with certain aspects of the ceremony.
We think it might be better to shorten the current "Commitment" speech while creating a new opportunity for junior high and high school students to share their voices, too.
And we were disappointed with the speech by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Although he vowed to help eliminate nuclear weapons and realize a permanent peace, he offered no specifics on how he would pursue these goals.
Because it rained earlier in the morning, the day was quite muggy. We were concerned about the elderly A-bomb survivors who were forced to sit in the heat without any shade through the entire ceremony.
A visitor from France told us, "It would be good if the ceremony included an activity that visitors can take part in directly." Although the Peace Memorial Ceremony is certainly a moving event, it seems the format is almost exactly the same each year. We suggest that city officials consider how the ceremony might be updated for the future. (Yutaro Honkawa,17, Yuki Sakata, 13)
Click to view the ceremony and interviews by junior writers
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Junior writer taking part in the die-in in front of the A-bomb Dome (left, in the front). |
Die-In
At 8:15am, in front of the A-bomb Dome, people lay down on the ground and closed their eyes. This was a "die-in", an event that symbolically demonstrates the aftermath of the bombing on August 6th. About 100 people from 30 groups took part, including me.
Beforehand there was singing and chanting, but once the die-in began, it became quiet. I closed my eyes and heard songs of peace from a distance. My mind went back to the day of the bombing and I thought, "If I had been here on that day, I would have been a victim, too."
By lying on the ground, as if dead, in the same spot as many victims, I could better imagine and empathize with their pain.
The die-in was held August 5-7, a combined effort of many civilian groups. It was disappointing, though, that the number of participants turned out to be fewer than expected. I wanted more people to experience this activity and reflect on the bombing as I did. (Kyoko Niiyama, 17)
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The piano from the bombing has a beautiful tone. (photo by Rikako Okada, 17) |
"Paulownia" Peace Concert
A concert featuring a piano that survived the bombing was held in Peace Memorial Park. This piano was used to accompany a chorus, musical instruments, and readings of children's books. It lasted about five hours. This peace concert was first held in 2005 when a concert tour with the piano was organized. This year, 13 groups from throughout Japan took part.
The staff and performers that stage the concert are volunteers. I found the enthusiasm of the man who owns the piano--Mitsunori Yagawa, 55, a piano tuner--very moving. He wants people everywhere to know about this piano and hear its message of peace.
When I interviewed some of the performers, they offered comments like, "The soul of the piano can be felt when it plays. I hope I can help many people feel it." It might be useful if these kinds of impressions could be included in a program for the audience. I think it would help them understand the performers and the piano more deeply. (Rikako Okada, 17)
Reading A-bomb Poetry
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A high school student from England (left) reads an A-bomb poem with a student from Hiroshima. (photo by Ryu Kanchika, 17) |
High school students from Hiroshima and abroad held a new event at the International Conference Center to share the experience of Hiroshima. Called "Heart of Hiroshima to the World", the event was organized to promote a culture of peace.
Japanese students and non-Japanese students from nine countries read poetry in nine languages. A slide show of pictures created by A-bomb survivors was used to depict the famous poem "Give Back the Human" by Sankichi Toge. In addition, some poems were accompanied by flute and violin to help express their mood.
It was my first experience hearing A-bomb poetry read in foreign languages. It made me feel that awareness of the bombing is strong in the world and I hope this kind of poetry will continue to be translated into other languages. Like at this event, people around the world need to hear these poems.
The event was organized by university students and the readings were given by high school students. I thought this event was very successful in providing an opportunity for the younger generation to take up the legacy of the atomic bombing. (Ryu Kanchika, 17)
Floating Lanterns
In the Motoyasu River, which flows in front of the A-bomb Dome, people float paper lanterns with prayers for the victims of the bombing and with appeals for peace. Candles inside, the lanterns glow softly on the dark surface of the water.
I met a girl, a first-grader in elementary school, who came to the river with her family. It was the first time she had heard that many people died here 62 years ago. The floating lanterns offer people--even small children like this girl--the opportunity to think about peace and do something positive to promote it.
At the same time, one 82-year-old survivor told me, "It's hard to squat down by the river to send off a lantern." Perhaps aging survivors need some kind of support at this event. (Masahiro Mikoshi, 14)
Other Events
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A family looks at the shadow picture exhibit. (photo by Rikako Okada, 17) |
Shadow Picture Exhibit--shadow picture exhibit that depicted children's lives before World War II was held by the Motoyasu Bridge in Peace Memorial Park. The exhibit focused on children's lives before the war to emphasize the fact that the atomic bomb not only destroyed lives and property, it robbed children of the happiness they once enjoyed.
It was the third time such an exhibit has been held and this year's theme was "children". In the darkness, the beautiful shadow pictures were illuminated with soft red and blue lights. They attracted many people, both children and adults.
The artist who makes the shadow pictures, Yuko Hamasaki, 39, (from Kawasaki, near Tokyo) and an art director, Kyoko Heya, 52, worked collaboratively to create the exhibit. The two explained, "We listened to the survivors' stories and tried to portray the lives they described."
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Mr. Nakazawa sharing his experience of the bombing. |
I felt as if I could hear the sound of children's laughter coming from the pictures. The terrible loss caused by the bombing struck me deeply and strengthened my determination to promote peace. (Kyoko Niiyama, 17)
Lecture by Keiji Nakazawa, 68, author of the famous A-bomb comic book "Barefoot Gen"--About 200 people of all ages turned out to hear Keiji Nakazawa speak about his experience of the bombing. In fact, beforehand, I was wondering if people would pay admission to this event, because interest in peace-related issues seems to be on the decline, especially among youth. But I was glad to see a full, enthusiastic audience, with some people even forced to stand as there weren't enough seats.
The audience listened closely to his story and at times I heard people crying. I believe those in attendance were moved to carry on the legacy of the bombing in their own lives. (Yutaro Honkawa, 17)
Interviews with visitors from abroad--As a club activity for my junior high school, I asked eight questions on the theme of peace to six non-Japanese visitors who attended the Peace Memorial Ceremony.
One question I asked was "Do you think the world is now at peace?" All of them answered "No" and gave examples of such conflicts as the war in Iraq. I also asked why they were visiting Peace Memorial Park on August 6th and five people responded, "Because I want to consider what I can do to promote peace."
I didn't expect that so many people from countries that possess nuclear weapons would actually like them to be eliminated. I was happy to find that we share the same hopes for peace. (Kotaro Tsuchida, 14)
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Messages from Hiroshima  |
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"What will you do to make the world a more peaceful place?" We posed this question to people visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on August 6th.
"We need to love one another and try to understand each other's viewpoints," a housewife from India, Himadri Kalita, 29, said.
A junior high school student from Ibaraki prefecture (near Tokyo), Erina Katabami, 13, responded, "I want to be better at empathizing with other people's feelings."
Another junior high school student, Taishi Toshita, 14, remarked, "I'll always carry with me the horror of war and nuclear weapons." In fact, many people shared the idea of remembering and inheriting the experience of the A-bomb survivors.
Monika Kloss, 26, a student from Germany, felt that "Everyone should come to Hiroshima." It was her first visit to the city and she was stunned by the museum. "I was so moved. I want people to experience this place."
A high school student from New Zealand, Daniel Clelland, 17, told us his dream was to "become a journalist and raise people's awareness of human rights violations in countries like Iran and Tibet."
From our interviews, it became clear that many people believe the first step towards peace is empathy, regardless of nationality or ethnicity. Increasing such positive interaction among people could fuel momentum for a more peaceful world. (Ryu Kanchika, 17)
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All messages |
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"Be someone's friend first before you judge them." --Australia, high school student, 16 "Start by putting an end to fighting, violence, and using violent language." --Hiroshima, elementary school student "Learn to empathize with other people's feelings." --Ibaraki, Japan, junior high school student, 13 "We have to stand up and speak up." --Germany, university student, 19 "Convert more people into VEGETARIANS." --British-American, grew up in Japan, university student, 21 "Never give up." --Hyogo, Japan, leader of a citizen group, 56 "Try to be more peaceful and tolerant of other people and their cultures." --Ireland, university student, 27 "Love your neighbor." --Hiroshima, university student, 22 "Abolish Nuclear Weapons." --England, university student, 17 "WE HAVE TO LOVE EACH OTHER AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER." --India, housewife, 29 "Work towards stopping the proliferation of nuclear weapons." --Canada, school teacher, 22 "To make the world more peaceful I would join with others to pray in public for peace and protest in the streets for peace. Unless we speak together in public our leaders will continue to make war and people will suffer." --United States, school teacher, 52 "I pray for Japan and the world to be at peace." --United States, professor, 40 "Peace begins with each person. We must resolve conflicts with people in our communities." --United States, member of a citizen group, 55 "Take down all borders." --England, builder, 20 "I'll work every day for peace by being kind to all living creatures." --United States, university student, 19 "I think everyone can help by talking to their friends about peace and disarmament, and by joining peace movements like Gensuikyo." --Sweden, director, 57 "Love each other. Pray to God." --England, housewife, 56 "Peace for the world begins with the individual." --Canada, school teacher, 24 "The road to peace begins with believing." --England, student, 16 "Making a peaceful world isn't impossible." --France, high school student, 16 "Make the circle of Peace Walk bigger." --Hyogo, Japan, university student, 22 "Carry on the message of the A-bomb survivors." --Chiba, Japan, junior high school student, 15 "Everyone becomes friends, follow one religion, no weapons of mass destruction. Friendship is the key." --England, student, 16 "Have hope." --Sweden, university student, 22 "Unify the South and North. Abolish nuclear weapons." --Korea, student, 10 "Send everyone to visit the museum in Hiroshima. Very moving." --Germany, university student, 26 "Cherish your friends." --Hiroshima, 79 "Make a lot of friends." --Tokyo, elementary school student, 10 "The best way to build future peace is through youth getting together to work." --Germany, civil servant, 61 "WE NEED TO KEEP TALKING TO EACH OTHER" --England, school teacher, 30 "I WILL TRAVEL TO A LOT OF COUNTRIES, UNDERSTAND THEIR CULTURE, AND EXPLAIN THEM (ON MY WEBSITE OF COURSE)." --Italy, consultant, 26 "Play the world's common language, music, which moves the soul." --Osaka, pianist, 50 "We must not forget our sorrow and regret. Every August 6th, in front of the A-bomb Dome, I ask people to draw to console the victims and for console victims and commit to peace." --Ibaraki, painter, 63 "Make human rights violations in countries like Iran and Tibet more well-known through becoming a journalist." --New Zealand, student, 17 "World without conflicts." --Tokyo, 75 "AS A PEACE MAKER THE BEST SOLUTION IS TO REACH OUT TO THE PEOPLE; TALK TO THEM TO FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS; FIND A WAY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR THEM." --Nigeria, CEO, 56 "Dismantle all nuclear weapons and STOP MAKING THEM." --Canada, university student, 27 "Abolition of all nuclear weapons will make peace for our world." --Vietnam, member of Vietnam Peace Commission "I'll always carry with me the horror of war and nuclear weapons." --Kanagawa, Japan, junior high school student, 14 "I want to convey the truth about Hiroshima to promote peace in the world." --China, student, 14 "Abolish nuclear weapons. End the war in Iraq now." --United States, engineer, 32 "Getting hope through supporting the UN." --Germany, student, 18 |
Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony
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A junior writer interviewing the family member of a victim. (photo by Chinatsu Kawamoto, 15) |
On August 9th, I attended the Peace Memorial Ceremony, held in Peace Park in Nagasaki, for the first time.
First of all, I was very surprised by the tight security. Everyone had to enter the ceremony site through gates with metal detectors. I thought this system had been put in place because the former Mayor of Nagasaki was shot and killed not long ago, but I learned from city officials that this level of security is the norm every year. Also, in contrast to the ceremony in Hiroshima, a large tent covered the entire ceremony grounds.
Hosts of the ceremony were two high school students, a boy and a girl. I was impressed that citizens of Nagasaki played such important roles in the ceremony.
In Hiroshima, children read the "Commitment to Peace", but in Nagasaki, a representative of the A-bomb survivors delivers this speech. The representative was a man who was about 1.3 kilometers from the hypocenter when the bomb exploded. His voice cracked when he was speaking and I found his strong speech very moving. (Yuki Sakata, 13)
Click to view the ceremony and the junior writers at work.
Memorial Mass
At Urakami Cathedral, about 500 meters from the hypocenter, the Memorial Mass was held. At 11:02am, the moment the bomb exploded, a siren sounded and a bell that survived the bombing began to toll. The 500 people in attendance prayed silently for the victims and the survivors, still suffering from the aftereffects of the blast.
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Participants praying at the Mass. (photo by Hayato Yoshioka, 15) |
The church was so quiet while the people were absorbed in prayer. The Mass then continued with hymns and Bible readings, which I found difficult to join, as I'm not Christian. Still, I could sincerely empathize with their yearning for peace.
I wondered, though, what will become of this Mass in the future because most of the people in attendance were elderly. Urakami Cathedral has held the Memorial Mass for 61 years, beginning in the year after the bombing. I hope that more children and youth will come to the church on this day, regardless of religious background, so the church can continue to be a gathering place where everyone prays for peace. (Shoko Tagaya, 17)
Youth Peace Forum
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Junior writers creating a Peace Declaration. (photo by Yuki Sakata, 13) |
I participated in the Youth Peace Forum, where youth from all over Japan gathered together to learn about peace. It was held on August 8th and 9th and 267 students, from elementary school to high school, took part. Divided into two groups, we visited buildings that had weathered the bombing and we exchanged impressions.
In an activity where we created our own "gPeace Declaration", four junior high school students from Okinawa talked about the impact on people's lives from the US military bases there. The resulting Peace Declaration contained our vow to "take part in as many protest activities as we can".
I realized that there are differences in people's perceptions of peace, depending on one's physical location. For me, growing up in Hiroshima, the word "peace" connects directly to the atomic bomb. However, for people in Okinawa, the idea of "peace" is tied to their experience of the US bases. And for others, "peace" may be linked to such issues as bullying.
The opportunity for students from all over Japan to share their thoughts with one another was very valuable. At the same time, I wasn't fully satisfied because this discussion didn't really lead to any practical action. If we could try to implement our ideas, such as our Peace Declaration, this might have more impact on peace. (Chinatsu Kawamoto, 15)
Campaign to collect signatures
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Junior writers covering the campaign to collect signatures (left and second from the left). |
A campaign to collect signatures to appeal for the abolition of nuclear weapons was conducted by 40 high school students and recent graduates around Nagasaki Station.
Organized by the students themselves, they collected 1180 signatures in scorching heat. Three members of the group also came to Hiroshima on August 6th, where they joined 40 junior high school students from Okayama in collecting 2000 signatures.
The campaign began in 2001 and, over the past six years, 280,000 signatures have been collected and sent to the United Nations Office in Geneva. The students say they are motivated by their belief that they can help abolish nuclear weapons as well as a strong sense of solidarity within the group.
Although we're the same age, they seem very mature. I think we should emulate their outlook and take action that can impact the world. (Hayato Yoshioka, 15)
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Messages from Nagasaki  |
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In Nagasaki, too, we posed the question, "What will you do to make the world a more peaceful place?" I was particularly impressed with the response from an American activist named Erin Placey, 23. She proposed that the United States modify the constitution to renounce war, much like Article 9 of Japan's constitution. "Because America has engaged in war after war," she explained, "we need a framework to prevent war from occurring."
These days Japan is experiencing a dispute over the possibility of amending Article 9. However, if there were more people like Erin, perhaps the Japanese people would think more highly of their constitution.
Naomi Yamazaki, 39, an office worker in Nagasaki, suggested that we "show tolerance and respect for one another and live each day with a loving heart". But Chel Nivo, 55, from Canada offered a view that seems to contradict this opinion by stating that we "shouldn't interfere in other's affairs". With these two contrasting answers, I realized that achieving peace is a challenge when the world is full of people with different ideas about it.
Other responses included "I want to share the cruelty of war with others" (a junior high school student from Okinawa) and "I think everyone should come to Japan to understand the reality of nuclear war" (a teacher from England). (Shoko Tagaya, 17)
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All messages |
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"1. Let people in the world know about atomic bomb survivors' experience and the related issues, emphasizing the danger of nuclear weapons and war. 2. Work together with people in the world to create a peaceful world and try to keep it." --Korea, high school student, 17 "Study the past, learn from our mistakes. Understand other people's cultures." --England, elementary school teacher, 25 "Get along with others around me." --Nagasaki, high school student, 17 "Promote peace activities and never give up for a peaceful tomorrow." --England, peace activist(32) "Work together to make a peaceful society without war." --Nagasaki, 69 "DON'T INTERFERE IN OTHER'S AFFAIRS." --Canada, manager, 55 "Both pray and act politically to prevent the use of nuclear weapons." --United States, translator, 59 "I want to share the cruelty of war with others." --Okinawa, junior high school student,15 "I want to tell people the horror of wars." --Okinawa, elementary school student, 11 "We need each person's commitment to peace." --China (lives in Nagasaki), owner of restaurant, 37 "To be a more loving, kind person." --United States, psychiatrist, 40 "Learn peace from people around you." --Kanagawa, Japan, elementary school student, 12 "Expand the circle of peace from your family and friends." --Nagasaki, high school student, 17 "TALK TO EACH OTHER & UNDERSTAND." --England, accountant, 30 "MAKE ART." --United States, artist, 30 "Make the USA establish an ARTICLE 9." --United States, social justice organizer, 23 "I think people just need to realize the very basic human quality of kindness and love and trust each other. If people compromised just a little and left their egos behind, the world would be a peaceful place." --India, university student, 21 "Use the money not for making weapons but to try to solve the real problems: water, AIDS, poor people, and so on..." --Italy, office worker, 31 "EVERYONE SHOULD COME TO JAPAN TO WITNESS THE EFFECTS OF NUCLEAR WAR." --England, school teacher, 59 "Write letters to all the leaders in the world asking them to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki; and then think twice about nuclear weapons." --England (lives in Kyoto), postgraduate student, 33 "Show tolerance and respect for one another and live each day with a loving heart." --Nagasaki, office worker, 39 |
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