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Hiroshima : 70 Years After the A-bombing

Messages from Mayors for Peace: 20 Mayors from Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Oita, Miyazaki and Kagoshima Prefectures

1. Soichiro Takashima, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture

Japan has worked tirelessly to build a peaceful and prosperous society from scorched earth.

Today we take for granted the peaceful, prosperous society that we enjoy, but we must never forget that this peace and prosperity was built on the sacrifice of many precious lives.

As we mark the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings and the end of the war this year, I will etch this in my mind and do everything I can to contribute to world peace and prosperity.

2. Morichika Saito, Iizuka City, Fukuoka PrefecturePrefecture

Nearly 70 years have passed since the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Yet many survivors are still suffering the aftereffects. In order to ensure that the anguish of the A-bomb survivors is not forgotten as time goes by, Japan, the only country to experience atomic bombings, must take the lead in calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons. And it is absolutely essential for world peace that we continue to tell the world of the preciousness and value of our peaceful society, which was built on the precious sacrifice of those who lost their lives in the atomic bombings.

3. Norio Takaki, Ukiha City, Fukuoka PrefecturePrefecture

In Japan, the only nation in the world to have suffered atomic bombings, the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting world peace are the shared hopes of all citizens.

We must etch in our minds the horrors of war, the frightfulness of nuclear weapons and the preciousness of peace and work to ensure that these things are not forgotten.

With a profound awareness of the dignity of human life and the preciousness of peace, our city will seek everlasting peace

4. Ryuzo Nakamura, Koga City, Fukuoka PrefecturePrefecture

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in which many precious lives were lost. It is also the 30th anniversary of the adoption of a “Nuclear-Free Lasting Peace City Declaration” by Koga City.

In order to ensure that the calamities of the atomic bombings will never be repeated, in cooperation with Mayors for Peace we will continue to work for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting peace.

5. Seiichi Nakamura, Chikugo City, Fukuoka PrefecturePrefecture

Last year Chikugo City marked the 60th anniversary of its incorporation. This was possible because our country continues to enjoy peace.

In December 1983 our city issued a “Nuclear-Free Lasting Peace City Declaration,” and over the years we have carried out efforts in the spirit of that declaration.

But nuclear weapons continue to pose a threat to the world, and international conflicts and acts of terrorism have taken many precious lives.

In order to move closer to a peaceful world without conflicts or nuclear weapons, we will continue to proclaim the preciousness of lasting peace.

6. Toshio Matsushita, Nakama City, Fukuoka PrefecturePrefecture

In 1983 the city council of Nakama City passed a “Nuclear-Free Peace City Declaration” in the hope of the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting peace.

We have also conveyed the horrors of the atomic bombings and the preciousness of peace through exhibitions on the A-bombings, the screening of anti-war films and films with messages of peace and through the publication of feature articles in our city newsletter.

Creating a world without nuclear weapons is the shared responsibility of humankind. I will continue to work to convey the tragedy of war across the generations, ensuring that the memories of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 70 years ago are not forgotten, and promote the elimination of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting peace.

7. Hiromi Tanii, Munakata City, Fukuoka PrefecturePrefecture

I support the Program to Promote the Solidarity of Cities toward the Total Abolition of Nuclear Weapons advocated by Mayors for Peace, a plan to build transnational solidarity among cities to facilitate collective efforts toward opening a path to the elimination of nuclear weapons, as well as its action plan, the 2020 Vision, an emergency campaign to ban nuclear weapons.

Munakata City has issued a Nuclear-Free Peace City Declaration. This year, the 70th anniversary of the end of the war, we plan to erect a new peace memorial in the hope of lasting peace and to convey to future generations the preciousness of peace.

8. Kikumi Tagashira, Chikuzen Town, Fukuoka PrefecturePrefecture

Chikuzen Town was the site of the Imperial Japanese Army’s Tachiarai Airfield, which was built as the largest airfield in East Asia before the war, and other related facilities, and the community prospered as a military town. But in March 1945 the town incurred tremendous damage in an air raid by the U.S. military, and more than 1,000 people lost their lives.

We opened the Tachiarai Peace Museum in October 2009 to convey the facts of the war and preciousness of peace as lessons of the war. Since its opening, 700,000 people have visited the facility.

I believe that conveying to future generations the miseries of war and the preciousness of peace is the mission of our town. As a town that desires peace, Chikuzen will continue to issue a message of peace.

9. Yukiharu Inoue, Miyako Town, Fukuoka PrefecturePrefecture

Nearly 70 years have passed since atomic bombs were dropped on Japan.

Nagasaki and Hiroshima, which were reduced to scorched earth, were rebuilt and peace has been restored.

But this tragic history must never be repeated. As citizens of the only country to experience atomic bombings, we must continue to call for the elimination of nuclear weapons and convey to the world how precious peace is.

I sincerely hope that the efforts of Mayors for Peace will lead to lasting world peace.

10. Shuji Eriguchi, Ogi City, Saga PrefecturePrefecture

Nearly 70 years have passed since the end of the war and the atomic bombings.

Most of Japan’s citizens today did not experience the ravages of the war, so we have an even greater responsibility to convey the horrors of war and our desire for peace to future generations.

In 2005 the city council of Ogi City passed a “Nuclear-Free Peace Municipality Declaration” and we have promoted peace-related activities.

With a sincere desire for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting peace, I will actively promote a city administration of peace.

11. Takashi Matsumoto, Omura City, Nagasaki PrefecturePrefecture

Seventy years have passed since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the first in human history.

Many lives were taken in an instant, and people continue to suffer the effects of the atomic bombs. The elimination of nuclear weapons and realization of a peaceful society without war are the desires of people throughout the world. I am confident that there will be a groundswell of support for these desires and that they will be conveyed to people both in Japan and around the world.

12. Takaichi Tanaka, Saikai City, Nagasaki PrefecturePrefecture

Nearly 70 years have passed since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, and I cannot help but feel the weight of the hopes of those who have continued to call for a peaceful world without nuclear weapons.

Contrary to those hopes, there are still many nuclear weapons in the world, and, although it may be small, the possibility of their use exists, giving me a keen sense of crisis.

As a citizen of Nagasaki Prefecture, which also experienced an atomic bombing, I believe it is my mission to continue to call for the elimination of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting peace in order to ensure that the calamities brought about by nuclear weapons are never repeated.

13. Masahiro Matsumoto, Minamishimabara City, Nagasaki PrefecturePrefecture

Passing on our beautiful natural environment, prosperous hometown and peaceful society to future generations is the heavy responsibility of those of us living today.

I sincerely hope that ongoing wars and conflicts will be brought to an end as soon as possible through dialogue and cooperation; that nuclear weapons, which could lead to the destruction of humankind, will be eliminated; and that a beautiful, peaceful earth will last through eternity.

14. Ban Kugimiya, Oita City, Oita PrefecturePrefecture

Seventy years have passed since the war ended, and there is concern that memories of the war are fading. Against this background, continuing to tell the world of the inhumanity of nuclear weapons and the need to abolish them in order to bring about world peace is the important responsibility of Japan as the only nation to have experienced atomic bombings and of our city as well.

Based on the principle of lasting peace stated in Japan’s Constitution, Oita City issued a “Peace City Declaration” pledging to uphold the three non-nuclear principles and make every effort to bring about peace and security. I will continue to promote efforts to bring about peace.

15. Hirofumi Nagamatsu, Bungotakada City, Oita PrefecturePrefecture

As we mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the war and the atomic bombings, I would like to express my gratitude for the peace we enjoy today. And I strongly hope that the horrible war and the calamities of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in which many precious lives were lost, will be neither forgotten nor repeated.

Bungotakada City features the beautiful natural landscape of the Kunisaki Peninsula and many historic spots associated with the Rokugo Manzan Buddhist culture. I will continue to work to ensure that future generations will inherit our bountiful nature, history and culture through a peaceful society without war.

16. Tadashi Tojiki, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki PrefecturePrefecture

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Meanwhile, as more and more people, especially those of the younger generation, are unfamiliar with the harrowing facts of the war, there is concern that it is becoming more difficult to convey the war experience. I believe that devoting energy to peace education activities and creating a peaceful community in which the 400,000 citizens of Miyazaki City can live without fear is a critical mission that has been given to our municipality. I hope that this year will provide a good opportunity to think about peace.

17. Masaharu Sudo, Nobeoka City, Miyazaki PrefecturePrefecture

Many precious lives were lost in the war, and our city suffered tremendous damage as the result of an air raid.

When considering what horrendous conditions resulted from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the elimination of nuclear weapons and the realization of a lasting peace are the shared hopes of all the citizens of Japan.

As we mark the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings and the end of the war, we must renew our firm resolve that “we shall not repeat the evil” and call for the elimination of nuclear weapons, which is the mission of Japan as an A-bombed nation.

18. Takahisa Ikeda, Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki PrefecturePrefecture

The atomic bombs that were dropped in August 1945 brought about the worst destruction in human history. I would like to express my sincere sympathy for those who lost their lives to nuclear weapons.

I would also like to pay tribute to those survivors who have worked toward the abolition of nuclear weapons while suffering from health problems as a result of the atomic bombings.

I believe it is important that, as citizens of the only nation to experience atomic bombings, we have a shared hope for peace and leave a future without nuclear weapons to our children.

19. Terufumi Taguchi, Kijo Town, Miyazaki PrefecturePrefecture

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I would like to express my sincere sympathy for those who lost their lives in the atomic bombings and to those who continue to suffer the aftereffects. The abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting world peace are the hopes of all of the citizens of our nation. For the children of the future, we must tell of the horrors of war, the value of life and the preciousness of peace. I sincerely hope for the realization of a peaceful world without war.

20. Teruo Hombo, Minamisatsuma City, Kagoshima PrefecturePrefecture

During the war, many citizens lost their lives and possessions, and many young men lost their lives at the Bansei Air Base for special attack forces. After the war, we built a peaceful and prosperous community through the wisdom and untiring efforts of our citizens. But wars and armed conflicts continue to occur around the world, and nuclear weapons, which pose the greatest threat to humankind, still exist.

To ensure that the people of the world can live in equality and peace and to ensure that the ravages of war are never repeated, I will tell future generations about the war, and I sincerely hope for lasting peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons.