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Peace Seeds

Peace Seeds: Teens in Hiroshima Sow Seeds of Peace (Part 25)

Part 25: Voices from New Year’s Day, the 71st year since the atomic bombing

This year, 2016, marks the 71st year since the atomic bombings and the end of World War II. Memories of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and voices from this city calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons captured the attention of people in and out of Japan last year, the 70th anniversary. Yet nuclear weapons continue to pose a threat to the world and nuclear testing remains a persistent problem. The people of Hiroshima will steadfastly speak out this year, too, in hopes of realizing a world free of nuclear arms.

On New Year’s Day, the junior writers from the Chugoku Shimbun, teenage reporters who are working for a world free of nuclear weapons and war, visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Naka Ward to consider what steps could be taken toward this end. We interviewed 50 people who put their hands together in prayer before the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims. We also listened to the experiences of two people who are making efforts for peace as volunteers.

We asked people about the tragic attack on Hiroshima, an event that must not be forgotten, and what sort of future they would like to build. Through these conversations, we have reaffirmed our determination to advance peace in the world.

At Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park: Steadfast appeals for a world free of nuclear arms

In 2016, the 71st year since the atomic bombing and the end of World War II, what did people pray for as they stood before the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims? Below we share their appeals for peace.

Wishing for a peaceful world

Many people prayed for a peaceful world. Ibohal Kshetrimayum, 61, a poet from India visiting Hiroshima for the first time, said, “I pray that the younger generation does not repeat this tragedy.” He deplores the current state of affairs in India, which clings to a nuclear arsenal. “I wish for peace to bloom in our world, like the sprouting of new buds,” he said.

Jan Lawson, 50, from the United States, wants to promote peace and love between people. “We have to remember what happened so we can work together as a human family and love one another,” she said. Some people, like Haruki Inoue, 16, a first-year high school student from the city of Kitakyushu, prayed for the A-bomb victims, telling them to “Rest in peace.”

The A-bomb survivors, in particular, hold a deep desire for peace. Chiyoko Kano, 71, a resident of Naka Ward who experienced the atomic bombing at the age of one, said, “Appealing for peace gives me something to live for. I can’t die until we have created a peaceful world.” One man, 83, a resident of Naka Ward who experienced the atomic bombing at the age of 13 and became orphaned, still hears a voice crying “Pull me out!” from under a collapsed house on August 6, 1945. “I’ve tried not to recall what happened for 70 years because my experience was so painful,” he said in tears. “I don’t want others to have to face the hardships I went through.” (Hiromi Ueoka, 15)

Taking action

Some people said that it is important to know the facts of the war, and others said that the first step toward peace involves living in harmony with one another and working together in cooperation.

Yusei Tamaoki, 21, a junior at a university in Tokyo, said, “I visited Hiroshima for the first time because I’m Japanese and I felt I should know more about it. I want to go to other places that have suffered because of war and share my experiences with my friends.” A female office worker, 25, a resident of Minami Ward, said, “There are other problems in the world, too, like discrimination. I hope we can all accept each other’s differences to create a world where everyone is free to live life in their own way.”

Seiko Ishimoto, 27, an office worker living in Nishi Ward, said, “I want to tell children that we should value our family, friends, and coworkers.” Sarah Fellows, 26, who came from the U.S. to learn about the history of Hiroshima, said, “Speak out about the things that are important. Don’t avoid conflict because you’re afraid.” (Marika Tsuboki, 15)

Handing down memories

The average age of the A-bomb survivors is now over 80, and efforts by young people have become vital. “Even if there are an increasing number of families with only parents and children, I hope these families will have daily contact with different generations and talk about peace together,” said Michiko Matsufuji, 76, a resident of Asaminami Ward, suggesting that memories of the time could be handed down through daily communication. Her mother was exposed to the atomic bomb’s radiation after entering the city in the wake of the attack.

Some people stressed the importance of visiting the A-bombed cities. Keiko Tanaka, 44, an office worker visiting Hiroshima from the city of Nagoya, said, “I want everyone to realize that the atomic bombing was a real event, not a TV drama, by sharing the experiences of A-bomb survivors and visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.” Runa Ishiguro, 12, a sixth grader at an elementary school in the city of Kanazawa was visiting the Peace Memorial Park for the first time. “I want to listen to the experiences of the A-bomb survivors before it’s too late,” she said. International visitors also said that young people should visit Hiroshima.

The junior writers, too, were told to continue interviewing people about peace issues. (Kohei Hayashi, 17)

Providing insight to visitors

“Do you know how people knew the bomb was an atomic bomb?” Iwao Kumataka, 73, a peace volunteer and resident of Asakita Ward, asked in front of an exhibit of a light-struck X-ray film at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which was visited by 3,101 people on January 1. He does his best to offer explanations that will resonate in the hearts of visitors to the museum. Visitors pause to listen to his soft speech.

Each January 1, since the museum decided to open its doors to the public on New Year’s Day, four years ago, Mr. Kumatake has come to serve as a peace volunteer. He said, “They all visit the museum on January 1 to learn about the atomic bombing. Their hopes for peace don’t change and I want to respond to them.” During the year-end and New Year holidays, some people visit the museum when they come to Hiroshima to be with family, while others are in the city for sightseeing. He tries to convey the horror of the atomic bombing, and its massive, indiscriminate killing, in a way that can be easily grasped.

Mr. Kumatake’s father was killed in today’s Myanmar during World War II. Mr. Kumataka then worked as a clerk for 40 years at the Hiroshima Red Cross & Atomic-bomb Survivors Hospital located in Naka Ward. His experience of feeling the folly of war and the preciousness of life, standing alongside the A-bomb survivors, motivates him to act.

Etched in his mind are the words of Otto Frank, whose daughter Anne Frank died at the hands of Nazi Germany at the age of 15, leaving behind her now-famous diary, and Floyd Schmoe, who built houses for A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima after the war. “We can’t achieve peace by merely talking about it,” Mr. Kumatake said. “We have to be taking action.” (Riho Kito, 14)

Offering flowers to the cenotaph

Some who visited the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims were engaged in an effort to have 1,000 people offer flowers at the cenotaph, each person putting a chrysanthemum or nandina in vases made of bamboo. Hiroe Sato, 77, a resident of Nishi Ward and the leader of HPS International Volunteers, the NPO which organized the effort, compared the colorful flowers to the aspirations of people appealing for peace in the world.

It was the 12th New Year’s Day since the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing. Ms. Sato’s brother, who was six years older, lost his life in the A-bomb attack, and she was exposed to the atomic bomb’s radiation after entering the city after the blast at the age of seven. On January 1, people mark the day by paying their first visit of the year to a shrine and eating a traditional soup with rice cakes, which is why we should reflect on the A-bomb victims and our forebears, who strived to reconstruct the city after the war, and express our gratitude to them. With this thought in mind, she began the effort to offer flowers to the cenotaph, itself a symbol of peace.

Ms. Sato stressed that kindness is important for building peace. As the flowers are offered, she says that each person must pledge to create heartfelt ties with others and pursue steady efforts. “I want people who know nothing about war to know the truth and think about what they should do,” she said. From her words, I felt the importance of my generation seeking ways to help hand down the experiences of the A-bomb survivors. (Kantaro Matsuo, 17)

Junior writers’ impressions

The people who put their hands together in prayer before the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims early in the morning of January 1 had special feelings. One of them came all the way from Tokyo to pray anew for peace, feeling anxious about the new security bills that were enacted by the Japanese government last year. There were many tourists, too. But I think it’s important for people living in Hiroshima to visit the Peace Memorial Park on January 1 and appreciate being able to greet the new year, thanks to those who came before us and worked to rebuild the city after the war. (Kantaro Matsuo)

This time I asked people who visited the Peace Memorial Park on January 1 how they felt and what they prayed for. I was surprised to find so many people paying visits to the park, even though it was New Year’s Day. Each person had different wishes. I think I was able to conduct some meaningful interviews. Many people said that they hope the junior writers will continue their peace-related activities, which left a strong impression. I felt that we have a duty to convey the memories of the atomic bombing, and I’m now determined to tell many people about peace. (Kohei Hayashi)

I was almost frozen from the cold because I began interviewing people at 7 a.m. Because it was so cold, I was surprised to see many people come to put their hands together in prayer before the cenotaph. My fingers soon got numb from the cold and I had difficulty even carrying out the survey. But now I feel that doing my best that day was rewarding. I learned that many people make prayers for different wishes early in the morning on New Year’s Day. But if possible, I’d like to interview people in a place that’s a little warmer. (Hiromi Ueoka)

I began interviewing people before sunrise on January 1 and my fingers got cold and painful. But I was happy when people kindly agreed to be interviewed, despite the cold. After conducting interviews the whole day, I was relieved that I was able to complete the assignment without any troubles, and I went to bed as soon as I got home. Though it was a tough experience, it was a memorable New Year’s Day. It might be too early for some, but I now look forward to New Year’s Day next year so I can peacefully greet the new year. (Riho Kito)

What is Peace Seeds?
Peace Seeds are the seeds of smiles which can be spread around the world by thinking about peace and the preciousness of life from various viewpoints. To fill this world with flowering smiles, 45 junior writers, from the sixth grade of elementary school to the fifth year of high school, choose themes, gather information, and write articles.

(Originally published on January 14, 2016)