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Hiroshima : 70 Years After the A-bombing

Messages from Mayors for Peace: 15 Mayors from Tottori and Shimane Prefectures

1.Yoshihiko Fukazawa, Mayor of Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture

Nearly seventy years have passed since atomic bombs exploded above the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Still, nuclear weapons continue to threaten us today.

Since adopting a “Nuclear-Free Peace City Declaration” in 1983, the City of Tottori has made the aim of a peaceful world without nuclear weapons a priority in our municipal policy and we have pursued efforts to help advance this goal.

As the nation which experienced the atomic bombings, we must keep the tragedies of the past in mind while making a stronger call for elimination of nuclear weapons.

2.Masataka Matsuura, Mayor of Matsue City, Shimane PrefecturePrefecture

In 2006, seeking to maintain the rich natural environment, abolish nuclear weapons, and realize a permanent peace in the world, the City of Matsue adopted the “Global Environment Conservation and Peace City Declaration.” After that, we joined Mayors for Peace and have held poster exhibitions about the atomic bombings in the lobbies of government buildings and community halls in order to convey the miseries of war and the preciousness of peace.

On this 70th milestone year since the atomic bombings, with our determination that the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki must not be forgotten, we pledge to make efforts to help realize a lasting peace and hand down the importance of peace to future generations.

3.Hideto Nagaoka, Mayor of Izumo City, Shimane PrefecturePrefecture

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the end of World War II. I would like to extend my sympathy to those who lost their precious lives because of the atomic bombs and the war.

Adopting a “Nuclear-Free Peace City Declaration” at the city council in March 2006, the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, Izumo declared its intention to uphold Japan’s three non-nuclear principles and call for nuclear disarmament and the elimination of nuclear weapons from every country.

Desiring a lasting peace in the world, we will promote peace activities and tell our children about the preciousness of peace from the city of Izumo.

4.Yuichi Hayami, Mayor of Unnan City, Shimane PrefecturePrefecture

The City of Unnan adopted a “For Peace” city declaration in November 2005. Lasting peace is the common desire of all human beings.

With the passing of 70 years, we must urge the world, as the only nation to have experienced nuclear attack, to eliminate nuclear weapons and realize everlasting peace so that the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are not repeated.

The City of Unnan holds ties to Dr. Takashi Nagai, who called for world peace in the spirit of “For peace” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” We will become single-minded in our efforts to realize a peaceful world based on this “For peace” spirit.

5.Soichi Takegoshi, Mayor of Ohda City, Shimane PrefecturePrefecture

This year Japan will observe the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the end of World War II. As the only nation to have experienced nuclear attack, I think it should be national policy to call for the elimination of nuclear weapons, convey this to the next generation, and continue communicating our messages to the world.

With the hope for everlasting peace in the world, the City of Ohda declared itself a “Nuclear-Free Peace City” and joined Mayors for Peace. We seek to work together to promote a government which upholds the goal of peace.

With a strong will and close ties, let us strive to eliminate nuclear weapons as soon as possible from this earth.

6.Osamu Yamashita, Mayor of Gotsu City, Shimane PrefecturePrefecture

Seventy years have passed since the atomic bombs exploded above Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We must not forget that time of war and the day when an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and many people were mercilessly killed.

However, it is regrettable that more countries have since come to possess nuclear weapons and international conflicts have continued to break out.

As residents of the only nation to have experienced atomic bombings, it is our duty to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting peace for the many people who lost their lives so painfully and for others still suffering from the bomb’s aftereffects.

7.Shoichi Kubota, Mayor of Hamada City, Shimane PrefecturePrefecture

In this year, which marks the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the end of World War II, I pray for those who lost their lives at that time.

I am concerned that these miseries might be forgotten because the number of people who are unaware of the atomic bombings and the war has grown.

The City of Hamada adopted a “Nuclear-Free Peace City Declaration” in 2006. While keeping alive the memories of the atomic bombings and the war, we will campaign for lasting peace in the world so that the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will not be repeated.

8.Hiroaki Yamamoto, Mayor of Masuda City, Shimane PrefecturePrefecture

The City of Masuda adopted a “Nuclear-Free Peace City Declaration” in 1988. As residents of the only nation to have experienced atomic bombings, we have made strong efforts so that the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will not be repeated.

While 70 years have passed since the end of World War II, many people are still suffering from the aftereffects. Today, the generations born after World War II account for about 80 percent of the population. We should not view the horrific events caused by nuclear weapons as a mere historical fact of 70 years ago, but understand that nuclear arms currently threaten our lives around the world. We hold the grave responsibility to tell the world not to repeat the same mistake and we will convey such messages to help realize a peaceful world.

9.Hiroki Kondo, Mayor of Yasugi City, Shimane PrefecturePrefecture

With the passing of 70 years since the atomic bombings, I would like to extend my sympathy to those who lost their lives and those who are still suffering from the aftereffects.

Adopting a “Nuclear-Free Peace City Declaration” in 2014, the tenth anniversary of the establishment of our new city, the City of Yasugi is determined to reinforce our efforts to realize the elimination of nuclear weapons and war, to engage in peace activities, and to strengthen the awareness of peace. Taking the opportunity of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, we hope for everlasting peace in the world. As the only nation to have experienced nuclear attack, we will carry out measures to convey the horrors of nuclear weapons, the miseries of war, and the preciousness of peace to the world.

10. Hideki Yamasaki, Mayor of Iinan Town, Shimane PrefecturePrefecture

In the first Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony in 1947, Shinso Hamai, the mayor of Hiroshima at the time, declared that war should be renounced forever, and the ideal of peace on earth should be realized, and many people agreed.

It is our responsibility to convey the memories of war to the next generation and strive to realize a peaceful world.

This year, which marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, we renew our resolve to achieve the ideal of world peace as soon as possible.

11. Ryoji Ishibashi, Mayor of Ohnan Town, Shimane PrefecturePrefecture

In Ohnan, located on the border between Hiroshima and Shimane prefectures, the mushroom cloud from the atomic bomb was seen beyond the mountains on August 6, 70 years ago. Compared to other towns in Shimane Prefecture, there are many atomic bomb survivors residing here.

Since adopting a “Nuclear-Free Peace City Declaration,” our town has engaged in peace education for the past 28 years. Each year we pursue the “Walk to Hiroshima,” in which people from our town walk 70 kilometers, around the clock, to the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima.

We are aware that we live during this time of the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings and we have the responsibility to tell the world not to repeat these horrors. We will continue our efforts to help realize lasting peace in the world.

12. Minoru Miyake, Mayor of Kawamoto Town, Shimane PrefecturePrefecture

Seventy years have passed since atomic bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

I would like to extend my sympathy to those who lost their precious lives and those who are still suffering from the aftereffects.

We need to convey the miseries of war and the preciousness of peace to the next generation so that the horrors of war will not be repeated and make a variety of efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons.

We will continue our efforts to help realize a peaceful world.

13. Hiroyuki Shitamori, Mayor of Tsuwano Town, Shimane PrefecturePrefecture

Seventy years have passed since the end of World War II. While memories of the atomic bombings and the war grow dim and young people become less conscious of peace, we seek to convey the importance of peace to our children. The upper grades of elementary schools in Tsuwano take school trips to the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, and they feel the importance of peace by seeing the horrors caused by a nuclear weapon.

In this world, we see people’s lives and human rights repeatedly trampled by civil wars and conflicts, and the situation surrounding nuclear weapons is still a source of insecurity.

Taking this opportunity of the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings and the end of World War II, we will convey the miseries of war and the preciousness of peace to the next generation and strive to realize a peaceful world.

14. Yoshiki Kageyama, Mayor of Misato Town, Shimane PrefecturePrefecture

Seventy years have passed since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the end of World War II.

The horrors still haunt our memories and they are ones of deep sorrow which should never be forgotten.

In various parts of the world, many people lose their lives in conflicts and there is a constant stream of victims and sufferers. Many people are fearful of nuclear weapons.

Working together so that such tragedies are not repeated, we pray for the realization of a peaceful world and the elimination of nuclear weapons, and will strive to convey these desires to the next generation.

15. Masaru Nakaya, Mayor of Yoshika Town, Shimane PrefecturePrefecture

Seventy years have passed since atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki for the first time in human history.

In some parts of the world, religious or ethnic conflicts still continue. As the only nation to have experienced atomic bombings, we must convey the horrors of nuclear weapons and the miseries of war to the entire world.

In the town of Yoshika, junior high school students receive peace education. Conveying the importance of peace to the next generation, we will make efforts to realize lasting peace in the world and the elimination of nuclear weapons.