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2019 “Hiroshima Appeals” poster to be created by second-generation A-bomb survivor

by Keiichi Nagayama, Staff Writer

Katsuhiko Shibuya, a graphic designer and second-generation A-bomb survivor living in Tokyo, has been chosen as the designer for this year’s version of the “Hiroshima Appeals” poster, which appeals for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the importance of peace to people in Japan and around the world. On April 17, an announcement about the selection of Mr. Shibuya as this year’s poster creator was made by the three sponsoring organizations, which include the Hiroshima branch of the Japan Graphic Designers Association, the Hiroshima International Cultural Foundation, and the Hiroshima Peace Creation Fund. The new “Hiroshima Appeals” poster will be released to the public on July 18.

Mr. Shibuya was born in Tokyo. While working in the advertising department of Shiseido, a leading cosmetics company, he was involved in creating many advertisements and helping to enhance the image of the Shiseido brand. Now he works as a freelance graphic designer as well as a professor at the Joshibi University of Art and Design, which is based in Suginami-ku, Tokyo.

On this day, the organizer held a press conference at Hiroshima City Hall and shared remarks made by Mr. Shibuya. In his remarks, Mr. Shibuya introduced an episode about his father, who entered Hiroshima in the aftermath of the atomic bombing and engaged in relief efforts as an officer in the Japanese army. According to Mr. Shibuya, his father never talked about his experience in Hiroshima to his family. Mr. Shibuya said that he felt some pressure because of the serious theme, but he expressed his enthusiasm for creating the poster.

This year’s poster will be the 22nd version of the “Hiroshima Appeals” poster. Two thousand copies of the poster will be printed and distributed to the municipal junior high and senior high schools in Hiroshima. It will also be sold at the Peace Memorial Museum in Naka Ward and the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art in Minami Ward.

(Originally published on April 18, 2019)

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