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Hiroshima : 70 Years After the A-bombing

Messages from Mayors for Peace: 17 mayors from Shiga, Kyoto, Nara and Wakayama Prefectures

1. Masakiyo Ogura, Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture

This year will mark the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings and the end of the war. I would like to express my sincere regret for the lives lost in the war and the atomic bombings.

In 2006 Higashiomi City passed a Peace City Declaration. The city will continue to work to bring about lasting world peace and a world without nuclear weapons, which are universal desires of humankind.

2. Kazuhiro Miyamoto, Moriyama City, Shiga Prefecture

Our city has issued a Peace City Declaration in the hope of bringing about lasting peace, upholding Japan’s three non-nuclear principles, eliminating nuclear weapons and preventing nuclear war and has called for a ban on nuclear testing and the abolition of nuclear weapons. In 1997, when creating our “Peace Plaza,” we erected a monument so as not to forget the tragedy of the atomic bombings and in the hope of lasting peace. Along with statues, the monument features a paving stone from a government building that was destroyed by the atomic bombing, which was given to us by the City of Hiroshima.

Every year on August 6 we hold a gathering in the Peace Plaza at which local citizens and elementary and junior high school students offer folded-paper cranes. We also read a message from the mayor of Hiroshima, who serves as president of Mayors for Peace, and join with the residents of Hiroshima in hoping for a peaceful world without nuclear weapons.

3. Kazuo Uno, Aisho Town, Shiga Prefecture

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings. As citizens of the only country in the world to have experienced atomic bombings, our mission is to tell the people of the world of the horrors of the atomic bombings and the continued suffering of the victims and to ensure that such a calamity never occurs again.

In 2006, Aisho Town issued a Nuclear-Free Peace City Declaration. Along with the other member cities of Mayors for Peace, we continue to hope that the world’s dreadful nuclear weapons will be eliminated as soon as possible and that lasting peace will come.

4. Zenya Yamazaki, Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture

In 1950, Ayabe City became the first city in Japan to declare itself a World Federalist City, advocating the building of a new international order to save humankind from destruction by nuclear weapons. As chair of the national council of municipalities that have issued World Federalist City declarations and as a member of Mayors for Peace, Ayabe City will work to abolish nuclear weapons and establish world peace. I believe that if we move forward with a shared understanding of the ideal of peace, before long it will create a ripple effect and spread throughout the world.

5. Masataka Kuriyama, Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture

Lasting world peace is the fervent desire of all humankind. Nuclear weapons pose a threat to the realization of that desire.

We seek the elimination of nuclear weapons, which can end all human activity in an instant, and the realization of a world in which these weapons are not permitted.

Though Kameoka City is small, as a city that has issued a “World Federalist and Nuclear-Free Peace City Declaration,” all of our citizens seek lasting world peace and we will continue to make every effort to issue a message of peace.

6. Yasushi Nakayama, Kyotango City, Kyoto Prefecture

As we approach the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings, I once again keenly feel the importance of ties between people as well as the preciousness of life and the value of peace and well-being, which firmly support those ties.

I believe that it is our mission to devote ourselves wholeheartedly to expanding ties between people and to join hands to build and develop a community filled with love and a world of peace while fostering and strengthening attitudes and behavior rooted in altruistic love.

7. Nakakoji Kengo, Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto Prefecture

On July 19, 1945, in the closing days of the war, Nagaokakyo City was bombed and precious lives were lost. To be sure this is not be forgotten, in 1989 we established a council to consider a “peace vision” and declared July 19 Peace Day. Since 1990 we have held a citizens’ forum to consider peace-related issues.

Seventy years have passed since the atomic bombings and the end of the war, and memories of those times are fading. I believe it is important to foster a desire in people to seek true peace while reminding ourselves of the preciousness of peace, the dignity of human beings and the value of life.

Along with our citizens, Nagaokakyo City will promote efforts to bring about a peaceful society and do our utmost to pass this spirit on to the young people who will lead the future.

8. Masaji Matsuyama, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture

Seventy years have passed since atomic bombs were dropped on Japan and many lives were lost. I would like to express my sorrow for those who lost their lives in the war.

We must convey our memories of the horror of the atomic bombings and the misery of the war to future generations and ensure that these memories are not forgotten.

Fukuchiyama City sends junior high and high school students to Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Okinawa in an effort to develop people who can educate our citizens about the need for peace. Under our Lasting Peace City Declaration, with our citizens we will work to share our desire for peace with others and to bring about a peaceful world without nuclear weapons or war for future generations.

9. Shoji Inoue, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture

All people share the desire to eliminate nuclear weapons, which could lead to the destruction of the earth, and to bring about a society without war. As the only country to suffer atomic bombings, Japan must continue to tell the world of the misery of the atomic bombings and that the mistakes of the war must never be repeated.

Miyazu City is a member of Mayors for Peace and has issued a Nuclear-Free Peace City Declaration. In cooperation with other like-minded cities we have called for the abolition of nuclear weapons and expressed our desire for world peace.

We once again declare our resolve to cooperate with the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in their efforts.

10. Tsutomu Kushima, Muko City, Kyoto Prefecture

Nearly 70 years have passed since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As citizens of the only country to have experienced atomic bombings, we must ensure that our wartime experiences are never forgotten and tell the next generation of the horror of nuclear weapons.

In 1984, the 1,200th anniversary of the relocation of the capital to Nagaokakyo, Muko City issued a World Peace City Declaration with the hope of lasting world peace. Since then we have taken various measures in an effort to cherish peace and to raise awareness of the need for peace.

We will continue to implement peace-related measures and make tireless efforts to bring about a peaceful society.

11. Keiichi Yamamoto, Oyamazaki Town, Kyoto Prefecture

In order to bring about lasting world peace, the universal hope of humankind, Oyamazaki Town issued a Nuclear-Free Peace Town Declaration on December 20, 1995. We also carry out peace-related projects on an ongoing basis, such as sending citizens to Hiroshima to attend the Peace Memorial Ceremony.

Lasting peace and security are the shared hopes of humankind. As citizens of the only nation to suffer atomic bombings, we must convey to the people of the world the horror of the atomic bombings and the suffering of the victims, and, in the hope of lasting peace, remind the world that such a calamity must never be repeated.

12. Toma Yamazoe, Yosano Town, Kyoto Prefecture

Lasting world peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons are the shared hopes of all people.

Yosano Town passed a Nuclear-Free Peace Town Declaration on March 29, 2007, holding out the ideal of a lasting peace, so that the mistakes of the war are not repeated, so that the children of the future can live in peace and so that the light of peace will shine on the lives of everyone.

We must make a commitment to peace that goes beyond national borders, cultures or ideologies.

As we mark the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings and the end of the war, we will join hands with peace-loving people and continue to work to abolish nuclear weapons and to bring about a peaceful world.

13. Yutaka Morishita, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture

Even now, 70 years after the end of the war, wars are occurring and nuclear weapons still exist.

In Kashihara City, which has issued a Nuclear-Free Peace City Declaration, we conduct peace-related programs, including an exhibition featuring works by local elementary schoolchildren on the theme of peace and talks by atomic bomb survivors. In this way we are working to convey the horrors of war and the preciousness of peace.

In cooperation with Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we will promote efforts to bring about peace.

14. Yoshinori Ota, Gojo City, Nara Prefecture

Though nearly 70 years have passed since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the suffering and sadness of the survivors remain and conflicts continue to occur around the world. As citizens of the only nation to have experienced atomic bombings, we must lead the effort to bring about world peace.

In Gojo City, we have issued an “Abolition of Nuclear Weapons and Peace City Declaration” and have actively promoted efforts to achieve peace. In order to ensure that such tragedies never occur again and that they are not forgotten, we fervently hope for a peaceful world.

  15. Masatake Matsui, Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture

Located in the heart of Japan, an area that fostered Japan’s traditional culture and is richly endowed with nature, Sakurai City issued a Nuclear-Free Peace City Declaration in 1985 and has worked to eliminate nuclear weapons and bring about lasting global peace, desires shared by all of humankind.

As we mark the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings and the end of the war, we will call for the abolition of nuclear weapons to ensure that the horrors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are never repeated and remind people of the preciousness of peace.

16. Yoshiyuki Yamamura, Koryo Town, Nara Prefecture

This year, the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings, also marks the 60th anniversary of the incorporation of our town.

As a town that has issued a Peace Town Declaration in the hope of the elimination of nuclear weapons and world peace, we believe it is our duty to consider along with our citizens what must be done to eliminate nuclear weapons and to take action.

In order to ensure that the tragedy of the atomic bombings is never repeated, we will continue to seek the abolition of nuclear weapons.

   17. Yoshio Mochizuki, Arida City, Wakayama Prefecture

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the A-bombings. Many precious lives were lost in the atomic bombings and many people bear deep scars from that time. The horrors of the war should never be repeated, but conflicts continue to occur around the world, and the lives of many innocent people are being lost.

On this 70th anniversary, we once again express our sincere hope for the abolition of nuclear weapons and a peaceful world without war.

In closing, I would like to offer a prayer for the souls of those who lost their lives in the war and my sympathy to those still suffering from the effects of the atomic bombings.