President Obama Invitation Project <Part 2>

Composing our hopes

A total of 335 invitation letters for President-elect Obama were sent in, more than we anticipated. Seventy of these letters were collected at an international event held in Hiroshima on November 16, 2008.

The letters contain a wide range of content, including some with thought-provoking ideas. We were pleased, too, that some students wrote letters as part of their school activity. To all those who joined this campaign, we share our appreciation for your efforts.

One of the noteworthy points of the letters is that many writers included the expression "Yes, we can" or "change" which became familiar catchphrases during Mr. Obama's election campaign. It also shows, perhaps, that people hope he will be a different type of president from previous leaders. Some students tried to write their letters in English, too, while others appealed to Mr. Obama through drawings.

As a reason for inviting Mr. Obama to Hiroshima, most people pointed out that a visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the A-bomb Dome would enable him to clearly understand the horror of nuclear weapons. A number of people also mentioned that "It isn't right that no U.S. president has ever visited Hiroshima." (Minako Iwata, 15 and Yuka Iguchi, 14)

Nineteen people volunteered to serve as translators, the youngest a sixth grader at an elementary school in Hiroshima. Two high school students also enthusiastically offered to help, more evidence that young people are eager to make efforts for peace. Most of the volunteers, though, are English teachers or housewives who have some translation experience. People from cities outside Hiroshima are among the volunteers in Japan.

The big surprise was that about 50 students at Punahou School in Hawaii, which President-elect Obama once attended, also offered to help with our translation work. In this way, we have already created a connection between Mr. Obama and Hiroshima.

In fact, we had originally asked Punahou School, which we reported on for a previous issue about the environment, whether they had any ties to Mr. Obama. Though they could provide no connections to the next president, they kindly offered to help with translation.

In addition, students studying Japanese at a public school in New York heard about our project through Punahou School and they offered to help, too. A teacher at the school told them about it and they gladly volunteered. (Takeshi Suyama, 16, and Seira Furukawa, 15)

I hope for a peaceful world without war... Please stop making people sad.

My father is Kenyan, too. Please make a peaceful world. Please come to Hiroshima

If coming to Hiroshima is difficult now, please visit in 2010 when Japan hosts the APEC conference. We'll offer you a warm welcome.

I don't think you can grasp the real horror of the atomic bombs unless you visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the A-bomb Dome. I couldn't either, before I went there.

Junior writers sort the letters.

The world today has many problems, such as global warming. When wars are fought, though, they prevent other big problems from being solved.

When I imagined my letter not being read, writing it seemed pointless. But I finally decided that it was worth it if there was a chance this one letter might help change the world.

No American president has been to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I don't think this is right. The president of the United States should see the horror of the atomic bomb with his own eyes.

I hope Japan and the United States, once enemies, can work together to create peace in the world.

The United States is an enormous example for the world...and it should stand as an example by abolishing nuclear weapons.

I'd like you to see, with your own eyes, the tragedy brought about by a former president's failure in judgment... To avoid repeating this mistake, please visit Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima.

Accepting the sad facts of the past and, based on these facts, Japan, the United States, and the other countries of the world grow wiser. That is my wish.

Nuclear abolition is not only the hope of people in Hiroshima, it's the hope of people in many countries around the world... I want those like you, with the power to change the world to recognize the danger of nuclear weapons and the horror of war as well as the joy of living in peace.

There is a school for the deaf in Hiroshima... The atomic bomb destroyed the school and killed the students. A memorial now stands there, filled with their pain and sorrow... It holds the souls of the dead. (Student at a school for the disabled)

Our mission involves conveying the reality of Hiroshima to the world. Your mission, I think, is to preserve peace in the United States and on the planet. With these common missions, why don't we discuss peace in Hiroshima, a city that symbolizes peace? ... Please make a strong speech about peace in Hiroshima.

We will never forget the terrorist attacks of September 11. The World Trade Center in New York is Ground Zero for the 21st century while the A-bomb Dome in Hiroshima is Ground Zero for the 20th century.

I believe you hold the key to the abolition of nuclear weapons. We entrust you with our wish for nuclear abolition.

If your stated aim is a world free of nuclear weapons, please visit Hiroshima and see the A-bomb Dome and listen to the stories of the A-bomb survivors. I don't wish to sound like I'm scolding. I just want you to experience the reality of what happened in Hiroshima and, afterwards, do your utmost to realize a world without nuclear weapons.

Please come to Hiroshima, as it looks toward the future, bringing your two daughters with you. (A-bomb survivor)

Please look closely at the cruelty of the bombing and the reconstruction of the city, making your experience of Hiroshima the starting point for your presidential policy. My younger brother was a victim of the atomic bomb and his remains were never found. (83 years old)

Please come to Hiroshima. Please see the city and the people who pray for peace. (Writer)

Please come to Hiroshima, Japan and encourage the world to commit to the 2020 vision--no nuclear weapons in 12 years. (American living in Hiroshima)

Yes, you can come to Hiroshima. (University student)

I believe that people in Hiroshima can share a lot with you. We would like you to come to Hiroshima and share what you see in Hiroshima with world leaders. (25 years old)

We seek the abolition of nuclear weapons to prevent a possible terrorist attack, but another important reason is that A-bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki still suffer physically and mentally from the effects of radiation. (44 years old)

I just ask that you keep in mind not only American citizens, but citizens in other countries as well. Let's make the world a better place. (American)

I feel that we should all say no to nuclear weapons. After visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, I am sure you will feel the same thing. (Nationality unknown)

The city of Hiroshima experienced a great revival and has persistently appealed to the world for the abolition of nuclear weapons. As a lifelong resident of Hiroshima, I am proud of the city and its call for peace. (Child of A-bomb survivor)

Before long, Hiroshima will enter an era without anyone having personal experience of the atomic bombing, for all the A-bomb survivors will grow old and die. The current moment might be the only opportunity you have to hear the survivors' stories directly. Won't you come to Hiroshima before it's too late? ... I may not be able to do much to persuade you, but I believe a visit to this A-bombed city would be a very meaningful experience. (34 years old)