Symposium linked to World Conference of Religions for Peace held in Hiroshima
Sep. 20, 2013
by Michiko Tanaka, Staff Writer
On September 13, the Japanese Committee of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP) held a symposium at the International Conference Center Hiroshima to look at the role of religious people in efforts for nuclear disarmament. About 80 people from 30 organizations, of all faiths, took part.
Proposals were made in line with four themes, which included the “the challenge of eliminating nuclear weapons” and “the role of religious people.” Tomiko Ishii, 86, an A-bomb survivor and resident of Higashi Ward, and Akira Tashiro, 65, executive director of the Hiroshima Peace Media Center and a senior staff writer for the Chugoku Shimbun, were among the four presenters.
Steven Leeper, 65, former chair of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, described the trend now taking place among the international community to advance nuclear disarmament by focusing on the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons. He expressed hope for the support of religious figures and said that it is vital to rouse public opinion in order to move the Japanese government from its reluctance with regard to backing this international development.
Tadatoshi Akiba, 70, the former mayor of Hiroshima, said that incorporating a time frame for the campaign to eliminate nuclear arms is essential. Without a time limit, he said, this objective will devolve into dream.
Gikyo Sugitani, 32, a member of Youth Board, Religious for Peace Japan, said, “I would like to strengthen the momentum for nuclear disarmament by pursuing practical activities like signature drives.”
The WCRP will hold its world conference in Vienna, Austria, from November 19 to 22. The Japanese Committee will compile its proposals based on the discussions at the symposium and deliver them to the world conference.
(Originally published on September 14, 2013)
On September 13, the Japanese Committee of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP) held a symposium at the International Conference Center Hiroshima to look at the role of religious people in efforts for nuclear disarmament. About 80 people from 30 organizations, of all faiths, took part.
Proposals were made in line with four themes, which included the “the challenge of eliminating nuclear weapons” and “the role of religious people.” Tomiko Ishii, 86, an A-bomb survivor and resident of Higashi Ward, and Akira Tashiro, 65, executive director of the Hiroshima Peace Media Center and a senior staff writer for the Chugoku Shimbun, were among the four presenters.
Steven Leeper, 65, former chair of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, described the trend now taking place among the international community to advance nuclear disarmament by focusing on the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons. He expressed hope for the support of religious figures and said that it is vital to rouse public opinion in order to move the Japanese government from its reluctance with regard to backing this international development.
Tadatoshi Akiba, 70, the former mayor of Hiroshima, said that incorporating a time frame for the campaign to eliminate nuclear arms is essential. Without a time limit, he said, this objective will devolve into dream.
Gikyo Sugitani, 32, a member of Youth Board, Religious for Peace Japan, said, “I would like to strengthen the momentum for nuclear disarmament by pursuing practical activities like signature drives.”
The WCRP will hold its world conference in Vienna, Austria, from November 19 to 22. The Japanese Committee will compile its proposals based on the discussions at the symposium and deliver them to the world conference.
(Originally published on September 14, 2013)
