Hiroshima prefectural government to establish liaison center to coordinate antinuclear and peace efforts
Mar. 9, 2016
by Junji Akechi, Staff Writer
In the new fiscal year from April, the Hiroshima prefectural government will work on establishing a liaison center which will coordinate the various initiatives made by local governments and universities to promote the abolition of nuclear weapons and peace-building. The idea is intended to enhance the appeal of Hiroshima, the A-bombed city, as a local hub and strengthen Hiroshima’s public diplomacy by encouraging ties among different organizations. The center’s functions and operating structure will be determined by a review committee which includes key figures. The overall direction for the center will then be finalized by the end of the new fiscal year.
At present, research and other projects linked to the atomic bombing and peace are carried out by several organizations such as the Hiroshima Peace Institute of Hiroshima City University, located in Asaminami Ward; the Institute for Peace Science of Hiroshima University, located in Naka Ward; and the governments of Hiroshima Prefecture and Hiroshima City. However, because these efforts have lacked coordination, the Hiroshima prefectural government will seek to establish an entity that can serve as coordinator.
In addition to its role as coordinator, the liaison center will likely pursue its own research programs, information gathering and publications, and human resources development while providing continual support for peace activities. For the time being, a new facility will not be built to accommodate the center. The prefectural government will attempt to set up the office for the liaison center by making use of its existing building. The center will be run by researchers and government officials brought together for this purpose.
Hiroshima will draw worldwide attention in April by hosting the meeting of foreign ministers prior to the Group of Seven (G7) summit (Ise Shima summit). Taking this opportunity, the review committee and its key members will be formed by June. The committee will then begin discussing the center’s prime functions and operating structure. The prefectural government is also aiming to eventually launch certain programs within the center, including the development of human resources, which can be smoothly pursued as part its project work. In addition, creating a fund for its sustainable operations will be studied.
This initiative is part of the “Hiroshima for Global Peace” plan, which has sought to articulate the role that Hiroshima Prefecture should play as an A-bombed site. Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki said, “We want to make full use of Hiroshima as a whole to realize a peaceful world that is free of nuclear weapons.”
The “Hiroshima for Global Peace” plan was developed by the prefectural government in 2011. In line with the plan, various programs have been implemented to date, including the “Hiroshima Roundtable” where former foreign ministers discussed nuclear disarmament issues, and the “Hiroshima Report,” a survey and analysis on the efforts of other nations in terms of nuclear disarmament. The prefectural government has also been pursuing research on the reconstruction process of the A-bombed areas in collaboration with the City of Hiroshima.
(Originally published on March 1, 2016)
In the new fiscal year from April, the Hiroshima prefectural government will work on establishing a liaison center which will coordinate the various initiatives made by local governments and universities to promote the abolition of nuclear weapons and peace-building. The idea is intended to enhance the appeal of Hiroshima, the A-bombed city, as a local hub and strengthen Hiroshima’s public diplomacy by encouraging ties among different organizations. The center’s functions and operating structure will be determined by a review committee which includes key figures. The overall direction for the center will then be finalized by the end of the new fiscal year.
At present, research and other projects linked to the atomic bombing and peace are carried out by several organizations such as the Hiroshima Peace Institute of Hiroshima City University, located in Asaminami Ward; the Institute for Peace Science of Hiroshima University, located in Naka Ward; and the governments of Hiroshima Prefecture and Hiroshima City. However, because these efforts have lacked coordination, the Hiroshima prefectural government will seek to establish an entity that can serve as coordinator.
In addition to its role as coordinator, the liaison center will likely pursue its own research programs, information gathering and publications, and human resources development while providing continual support for peace activities. For the time being, a new facility will not be built to accommodate the center. The prefectural government will attempt to set up the office for the liaison center by making use of its existing building. The center will be run by researchers and government officials brought together for this purpose.
Hiroshima will draw worldwide attention in April by hosting the meeting of foreign ministers prior to the Group of Seven (G7) summit (Ise Shima summit). Taking this opportunity, the review committee and its key members will be formed by June. The committee will then begin discussing the center’s prime functions and operating structure. The prefectural government is also aiming to eventually launch certain programs within the center, including the development of human resources, which can be smoothly pursued as part its project work. In addition, creating a fund for its sustainable operations will be studied.
This initiative is part of the “Hiroshima for Global Peace” plan, which has sought to articulate the role that Hiroshima Prefecture should play as an A-bombed site. Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki said, “We want to make full use of Hiroshima as a whole to realize a peaceful world that is free of nuclear weapons.”
The “Hiroshima for Global Peace” plan was developed by the prefectural government in 2011. In line with the plan, various programs have been implemented to date, including the “Hiroshima Roundtable” where former foreign ministers discussed nuclear disarmament issues, and the “Hiroshima Report,” a survey and analysis on the efforts of other nations in terms of nuclear disarmament. The prefectural government has also been pursuing research on the reconstruction process of the A-bombed areas in collaboration with the City of Hiroshima.
(Originally published on March 1, 2016)
