Hiroshima mayor and governor bring home successes from overseas travels
Nov. 25, 2011
by Michiko Tanaka and Aya Kano, Staff Writers
Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki and Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, who traveled to the United States and Europe, respectively, to spread the message of nuclear abolition with the world, returned to Japan on November 13. These trips enabled the two leaders to recognize anew the role that the A-bombed cities should play in the pursuit of peace. The Chugoku Shimbun staff writers that accompanied them abroad have reflected on their achievements and the challenges they now face.
Over a period of nine days, starting November 5, Mr. Yuzaki traveled to the United States with the aim of promoting the prefecture’s “Hiroshima for Global Peace” plan. The highlight of his trip was his meeting with Ban Ki-moon, the secretary-general of the United Nations, in which the governor was successful in gaining Mr. Ban’s pledge of U.N. support. On the other hand, the difficulties of putting the plan into action were seen in the failure to enlist promises of cooperation from major U.S. foundations, which were viewed as potential sponsors.
Following the meeting with Mr. Ban at U.N. Headquarters in New York on November 9, Mr. Yuzaki expressed high hopes, saying, “Mr. Ban offered his full support to the plan.” In the meeting which lasted 30 minutes, 10 minutes longer than was initially planned, Mr. Ban promised to extend support by drawing on the U.N. network and human resources.
Mr. Yuzaki visited five cities, including Honolulu, Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York, and San Francisco. Besides the meetings that had already been scheduled, a senior U.S. official made a sudden request for a meeting while three U.S. newspapers followed Mr. Yuzaki’s movements. The governor of the A-bombed site attracted interest along his travels through the nation that dropped the bomb.
At the same time, no U.S. media outlet attended the press conference held in Washington on November 8 to introduce the global peace plan. Mr. Yuzaki commented: “Raising the public’s interest in nuclear abolition is very difficult. A large-scale plan is probably required to change this situation.”
The plan proposes that a system be established for gathering personnel, research, and funding. With the necessity of obtaining funds in mind, Mr. Yuzaki met with four charitable organizations that are well-versed in the fields of nuclear abolition and peace building.
Reactions were positive from the foundation executives, including such comments as “Having an A-bombed city become a global hub for peace is a unique idea” and “The plan doesn’t just present a concept for pursuing peace, it seeks to bring change to current conditions.” However, they would go no farther than to say that they were interested in continuing discussions on the matter.
The Skoll Foundation is one of the organizations providing support to “Global Zero,” an international assembly of experts advocating the abolition of nuclear weapons by 2030. The founder, Jeffrey Skoll, offered his advice, saying, “The governor’s enthusiasm is clear, so agreements from donors can be secured once the plan and timeline are better defined.”
Mr. Yuzaki agreed, commenting, “Establishing an organizational body and a specific action plan is now an urgent task.” While the plan was formulated by experts from both inside and outside Japan, the voices of local Hiroshima-area people need to be heard to bring the project to life, and continuing promotion to the international community will be vital. The real value of the governor's "achievement-oriented" policy will be put to the test.
The mayor of Hiroshima, Kazumi Matsui, paid visits to Spain and Switzerland from November 7 to 13. In his first foray at peace diplomacy overseas, the former bureaucrat’s reliability in prioritizing practical gain over performance stood out.
At the executive conference of Mayors for Peace held on November 9 and 10 at Granollers, Spain, Mr. Matsui spoke frankly when he presented the dilemma the organization faces with the number of member cities now topping 5,000. “Mayors for Peace does not have enough money,” he said. “At the same time, we must improve the quality of our efforts.”
To persuade member cities to consider sharing in the burden of the annual operating budget of 29.34 million yen, Mr. Matsui and his team had prepared several different detailed plans. In one plan, which adopted the contribution ratio used by the United Nations, it was explained that while cities in Japan would pay 14,000 yen, cities in Cameroom would pay just 12 yen. In this way, Mr. Matsui sought to show consideration for the financial state of cities in developing countries.
In another plan, in which the executive cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki would cover the bulk of the operating costs, specific figures were also presented. As each plan was shared, both the pros and cons were described, and the urgency of the issue was stressed.
The participants of the executive conference also agreed to adopt the proposal to establish regional chapters around the world. With this step, it appears Mr. Matsui will be able to move toward his goal of strengthening the work of the organization.
Mr. Matsui called the general conference of Mayors for Peace slated for Hiroshima in 2013 “the next milestone” and he plans to resolve the matters of the group’s financial difficulties and the establishment of the regional chapters at that time. Expressing confidence, the mayor said, “If our communication continues in this way, we should be able to realize our goals.”
However, the mayor of an A-bombed city must have the ability to make appeals to the world, along with a penchant for practicality. In the latter half of his trip Mr. Matsui attended the opening ceremony of the permanent A-bomb exhibition at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva. But compared to Nagasaki, which was represented by the mayor, an A-bomb survivor, and a high school peace ambassador, Hiroshima’s presence was subdued.
Prior to his trip to Europe, Mr. Matsui was invited by Kazakhstan to attend an October ceremony commemorating the closing of a nuclear testing ground in the former Soviet Union. He declined, however, citing his wish to focus on city affairs, and only the mayor of Nagasaki traveled to the event.
Perhaps bearing in mind the controversy caused by the frequent first class overseas business trips taken by his predecessor, Tadatoshi Akiba, Mr. Matsui is following a policy which emphasizes encouraging the international community to come to Hiroshima. How the mayor will balance this aim with travels abroad is a point of interest with regard to his administration’s peace efforts.
Keywords
“A Hiroshima for Global Peace” plan
The plan sets out the role the A-bombed city of Hiroshima should play in the movement seeking the abolition of nuclear weapons. The committee that formulated the plan was made up of experts from inside and outside Japan, including Yasushi Akashi, former United Nations Undersecretary-General. The action plan is composed of five elements, which include supporting the creation of a roadmap toward nuclear abolition, reducing the threat of nuclear weapons, and training personnel and amassing research with the aim of building a peaceful international society. The plan emphasizes collaboration between Hiroshima Prefecture and the city of Hiroshima, which has led the effort to eliminate nuclear weapons.
Mayors for Peace
“The World Conference of Mayors for Peace through Intercity Solidarity,” the forerunner of Mayors for Peace, was established in 1982 in response to calls from the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The mayor of Hiroshima presides as president, while the mayor of Nagasaki serves as vice president. As of November 1, membership consists of 5,053 cities from 151 countries and regions. The organization promotes the “2020 Vision,” which aims for the elimination of all nuclear weapons by the year 2020. The cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki currently share the average annual operating costs of 29.34 million yen.
(Originally published on November 15, 2011)
Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki and Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, who traveled to the United States and Europe, respectively, to spread the message of nuclear abolition with the world, returned to Japan on November 13. These trips enabled the two leaders to recognize anew the role that the A-bombed cities should play in the pursuit of peace. The Chugoku Shimbun staff writers that accompanied them abroad have reflected on their achievements and the challenges they now face.
Governor Yuzaki given positive reception by U.N. secretary-general
Over a period of nine days, starting November 5, Mr. Yuzaki traveled to the United States with the aim of promoting the prefecture’s “Hiroshima for Global Peace” plan. The highlight of his trip was his meeting with Ban Ki-moon, the secretary-general of the United Nations, in which the governor was successful in gaining Mr. Ban’s pledge of U.N. support. On the other hand, the difficulties of putting the plan into action were seen in the failure to enlist promises of cooperation from major U.S. foundations, which were viewed as potential sponsors.
Following the meeting with Mr. Ban at U.N. Headquarters in New York on November 9, Mr. Yuzaki expressed high hopes, saying, “Mr. Ban offered his full support to the plan.” In the meeting which lasted 30 minutes, 10 minutes longer than was initially planned, Mr. Ban promised to extend support by drawing on the U.N. network and human resources.
Mr. Yuzaki visited five cities, including Honolulu, Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York, and San Francisco. Besides the meetings that had already been scheduled, a senior U.S. official made a sudden request for a meeting while three U.S. newspapers followed Mr. Yuzaki’s movements. The governor of the A-bombed site attracted interest along his travels through the nation that dropped the bomb.
At the same time, no U.S. media outlet attended the press conference held in Washington on November 8 to introduce the global peace plan. Mr. Yuzaki commented: “Raising the public’s interest in nuclear abolition is very difficult. A large-scale plan is probably required to change this situation.”
The plan proposes that a system be established for gathering personnel, research, and funding. With the necessity of obtaining funds in mind, Mr. Yuzaki met with four charitable organizations that are well-versed in the fields of nuclear abolition and peace building.
Reactions were positive from the foundation executives, including such comments as “Having an A-bombed city become a global hub for peace is a unique idea” and “The plan doesn’t just present a concept for pursuing peace, it seeks to bring change to current conditions.” However, they would go no farther than to say that they were interested in continuing discussions on the matter.
The Skoll Foundation is one of the organizations providing support to “Global Zero,” an international assembly of experts advocating the abolition of nuclear weapons by 2030. The founder, Jeffrey Skoll, offered his advice, saying, “The governor’s enthusiasm is clear, so agreements from donors can be secured once the plan and timeline are better defined.”
Mr. Yuzaki agreed, commenting, “Establishing an organizational body and a specific action plan is now an urgent task.” While the plan was formulated by experts from both inside and outside Japan, the voices of local Hiroshima-area people need to be heard to bring the project to life, and continuing promotion to the international community will be vital. The real value of the governor's "achievement-oriented" policy will be put to the test.
Mayor Matsui shows reliability in prioritizing practical gain
The mayor of Hiroshima, Kazumi Matsui, paid visits to Spain and Switzerland from November 7 to 13. In his first foray at peace diplomacy overseas, the former bureaucrat’s reliability in prioritizing practical gain over performance stood out.
At the executive conference of Mayors for Peace held on November 9 and 10 at Granollers, Spain, Mr. Matsui spoke frankly when he presented the dilemma the organization faces with the number of member cities now topping 5,000. “Mayors for Peace does not have enough money,” he said. “At the same time, we must improve the quality of our efforts.”
To persuade member cities to consider sharing in the burden of the annual operating budget of 29.34 million yen, Mr. Matsui and his team had prepared several different detailed plans. In one plan, which adopted the contribution ratio used by the United Nations, it was explained that while cities in Japan would pay 14,000 yen, cities in Cameroom would pay just 12 yen. In this way, Mr. Matsui sought to show consideration for the financial state of cities in developing countries.
In another plan, in which the executive cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki would cover the bulk of the operating costs, specific figures were also presented. As each plan was shared, both the pros and cons were described, and the urgency of the issue was stressed.
The participants of the executive conference also agreed to adopt the proposal to establish regional chapters around the world. With this step, it appears Mr. Matsui will be able to move toward his goal of strengthening the work of the organization.
Mr. Matsui called the general conference of Mayors for Peace slated for Hiroshima in 2013 “the next milestone” and he plans to resolve the matters of the group’s financial difficulties and the establishment of the regional chapters at that time. Expressing confidence, the mayor said, “If our communication continues in this way, we should be able to realize our goals.”
However, the mayor of an A-bombed city must have the ability to make appeals to the world, along with a penchant for practicality. In the latter half of his trip Mr. Matsui attended the opening ceremony of the permanent A-bomb exhibition at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva. But compared to Nagasaki, which was represented by the mayor, an A-bomb survivor, and a high school peace ambassador, Hiroshima’s presence was subdued.
Prior to his trip to Europe, Mr. Matsui was invited by Kazakhstan to attend an October ceremony commemorating the closing of a nuclear testing ground in the former Soviet Union. He declined, however, citing his wish to focus on city affairs, and only the mayor of Nagasaki traveled to the event.
Perhaps bearing in mind the controversy caused by the frequent first class overseas business trips taken by his predecessor, Tadatoshi Akiba, Mr. Matsui is following a policy which emphasizes encouraging the international community to come to Hiroshima. How the mayor will balance this aim with travels abroad is a point of interest with regard to his administration’s peace efforts.
Keywords
“A Hiroshima for Global Peace” plan
The plan sets out the role the A-bombed city of Hiroshima should play in the movement seeking the abolition of nuclear weapons. The committee that formulated the plan was made up of experts from inside and outside Japan, including Yasushi Akashi, former United Nations Undersecretary-General. The action plan is composed of five elements, which include supporting the creation of a roadmap toward nuclear abolition, reducing the threat of nuclear weapons, and training personnel and amassing research with the aim of building a peaceful international society. The plan emphasizes collaboration between Hiroshima Prefecture and the city of Hiroshima, which has led the effort to eliminate nuclear weapons.
Mayors for Peace
“The World Conference of Mayors for Peace through Intercity Solidarity,” the forerunner of Mayors for Peace, was established in 1982 in response to calls from the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The mayor of Hiroshima presides as president, while the mayor of Nagasaki serves as vice president. As of November 1, membership consists of 5,053 cities from 151 countries and regions. The organization promotes the “2020 Vision,” which aims for the elimination of all nuclear weapons by the year 2020. The cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki currently share the average annual operating costs of 29.34 million yen.
(Originally published on November 15, 2011)
