Growing number of visits by foreign dignitaries to Hiroshima
Jun. 19, 2016
by Hiroaki Watanabe, Staff Writer
The number of foreign dignitaries visiting Hiroshima is on the rise. In fiscal year 2015, which saw the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing, the number of official visits was 107, four times the figure provided in fiscal 2006, when the city officially began recording the number of official visits to Hiroshima by foreign dignitaries. Fiscal year 2016 began in April and has led off with Hiroshima hosting the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in April and U.S. President Barack Obama visiting the city on May 27. These events have helped draw worldwide attention to the city of Hiroshima, and are expected to serve as a tailwind in encouraging more foreign dignitaries to visit and touch the consequences of the atomic bombing.
In fiscal 2006, the city’s International Relations Division began formally recording the number of official visits to the city paid by heads of state, speakers of national legislatures, chief justices of supreme courts, ministers, ambassadors and heads of major international organizations. Most of these visitors have offered flowers at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims and toured the Peace Memorial Museum.
In fiscal 2015, the breakdown of visiting foreign dignitaries was as follows: seven visits by speakers of national assemblies, 13 by ministers, 80 by ambassadors, and seven by heads of international organizations. Among the ambassadors, a record-high 65 attended the Peace Memorial Ceremony held on August 6, exceeding the 40 recorded in 2012 and again in 2013.
Through the Peace Declaration by Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui and other means, the City of Hiroshima has been urging political leaders of the world to visit the city. The Japanese government has also been making similar efforts at international conferences and on other occasions. In addition, this appeal was made in the “Hiroshima Declaration,” which was adopted by the participants of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The United States, the United Kingdom, and France, all nuclear powers, are members of the G7, as is the European Union.
According to the city’s International Relations Division, it is likely that more foreign dignitaries will visit the city in the future, following in the footsteps of Mr. Obama. In order to advance the cause of nuclear abolition, it is important for these leaders to understand the reality of the atomic bombing, the division commented.
(Originally published on June 19, 2016)
The number of foreign dignitaries visiting Hiroshima is on the rise. In fiscal year 2015, which saw the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing, the number of official visits was 107, four times the figure provided in fiscal 2006, when the city officially began recording the number of official visits to Hiroshima by foreign dignitaries. Fiscal year 2016 began in April and has led off with Hiroshima hosting the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in April and U.S. President Barack Obama visiting the city on May 27. These events have helped draw worldwide attention to the city of Hiroshima, and are expected to serve as a tailwind in encouraging more foreign dignitaries to visit and touch the consequences of the atomic bombing.
In fiscal 2006, the city’s International Relations Division began formally recording the number of official visits to the city paid by heads of state, speakers of national legislatures, chief justices of supreme courts, ministers, ambassadors and heads of major international organizations. Most of these visitors have offered flowers at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims and toured the Peace Memorial Museum.
In fiscal 2015, the breakdown of visiting foreign dignitaries was as follows: seven visits by speakers of national assemblies, 13 by ministers, 80 by ambassadors, and seven by heads of international organizations. Among the ambassadors, a record-high 65 attended the Peace Memorial Ceremony held on August 6, exceeding the 40 recorded in 2012 and again in 2013.
Through the Peace Declaration by Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui and other means, the City of Hiroshima has been urging political leaders of the world to visit the city. The Japanese government has also been making similar efforts at international conferences and on other occasions. In addition, this appeal was made in the “Hiroshima Declaration,” which was adopted by the participants of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The United States, the United Kingdom, and France, all nuclear powers, are members of the G7, as is the European Union.
According to the city’s International Relations Division, it is likely that more foreign dignitaries will visit the city in the future, following in the footsteps of Mr. Obama. In order to advance the cause of nuclear abolition, it is important for these leaders to understand the reality of the atomic bombing, the division commented.
(Originally published on June 19, 2016)
