How should the anniversary of August 6 be shared with foreign visitors?
Overcoming the language barrier

August 6, the day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945, is approaching. On this day each year, the city of Hiroshima receives many visitors from around the world.

Hiroshima residents organize a variety of activities to convey the horror of nuclear weapons through the damage wrought by the atomic bombing and deliver messages of peace. But how do visitors from overseas look upon these efforts of Hiroshima?

From late June to the beginning of July, we surveyed 50 such visitors in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. We also interviewed non-Japanese residents of Hiroshima who know the city well.

August 6 is an important day and we hope the visitors to our city can take away Hiroshima's message. This hope prompted us to produce this issue.

Two junior writers (left) conduct the survey with visitors to Hiroshima. (Photo by Minako Iwata, 15) Completed surveys are seen in the background.

In Peace Memorial Park, we asked 50 tourists about their impressions of Hiroshima.

Many of them pointed out the language barrier. They felt there was a lack of English signs and some wanted Peace Memorial Museum to provide descriptions of the displays in languages other than English. We also heard the comment that it was difficult to communicate with Hiroshima citizens because most Japanese can't speak a foreign language.

By having a guide who speaks English, they believe they would feel the cruelty of war more deeply. At the same time, many of the visitors were moved by the number of citizens who work as volunteer guides.

The suggestion was made to establish foreign language tours of Hiroshima's history and the city's reconstruction in the aftermath of the atomic bombing. Interaction with A-bomb survivors and citizens was another idea for helping to heighten the wish for peace. These are just some of the thoughts of visitors to Hiroshima. (Shiori Kusuo, 16)

Share the peace activities of Hiroshima citizens

Carolin Funck, associate professor at Hiroshima University

Professor Funck suggests introducing the peace efforts of Hiroshima citizens. (Photo by Yusuke Suemoto, 12)

We spoke with Carolin Funck, 48, an associate professor at the Hiroshima University Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Science and an expert on tourism. She has lived in Japan for 22 years.

She feels that the English signs and the English text for the exhibits in Peace Memorial Museum are helpful for first-time visitors to the city. However, the use of English as the only foreign language isn't really sufficient.

She also suggests that the eager efforts of Hiroshima citizens to deliver a message of peace to the world aren't widely known. If Peace Memorial Museum and the Rest House (the tourist information center) included sections introducing these peace activities, it would help convey this information. Also, if the city offered a service for renting bicycles, Ms. Funck thinks that tourists could more easily visit the many A-bombed sites while reflecting on the city's history. (Aoi Otomo, 14)

Publicity on the web is important

Paul and Joy Walsh of the website "Get Hiroshima"

Paul (left) and Joy say: "More publicity in advance of these events is needed." (Photo by Aoi Otomo)

We visited a couple who runs a website, called Get Hiroshima, for the international community in the city: university teachers Paul Walsh, 41, originally from the United Kingdom, and his wife, Joy, 40, originally from the United States.

They have lived in Hiroshima for 13 years and they began the website nine years ago in order to help non-Japanese get more enjoyment out of their time in Hiroshima. In addition, five years ago, they began distributing a free English map of Hiroshima. They pointed out to us that there aren't enough accommodations for visitors on August 6. They also feel that information about events related to August 6, besides the peace ceremony, isn't disseminated well. They suggest that such events should be publicized more on websites and notice boards that the international community frequents.

After visiting Peace Memorial Museum, many people feel shaken by the cruelty of the destruction caused by the atomic bomb. In order to appreciate the positive attitude for peace held by the citizens of Hiroshima, the couple said that opportunities are needed for visitors to interact with residents as well as events in which visitors can take part even if they don't speak Japanese. (Nao Tatsugawa, 17)

I want to know how to make a paper crane.

Tayaprakash Tanarthanan, 23, India

Show free films about the destruction caused by the atomic bomb and the reconstruction of the city.

Thomas Seremiah, 21, Nigeria

Invite children from all over the world to Hiroshima to talk about peace.

Mika Parow, 14, Australia

Share the A-bomb experiences in English and other languages.

Yolanda Lechuga, 32, Spain

I'd like to know what Hiroshima citizens think about August 6.

Andra, 23, Romania

Put explanations in Peace Memorial Museum in other languages, like German and Italian.

Marius Illug, 28, Germany

I'd like to talk with atomic bomb survivors.

Sarah Renich, 15, USA

Children in Hiroshima could write letters to children in the world.

Kurt Andersen, 55, Denmark

Communicate with people in the world via the Internet.

Paula Viikari, 29, Finland

Suggestions

1. Offer information about events related to August 6 on tourist websites

Many people pointed out the lack of information about August 6. Hiroshima citizens organize a variety of events, but finding information on these events appears to be difficult.

How about listing these events on information websites for foreign visitors? People usually start making plans for an overseas trip a few months in advance. If information on events related to August 6 is offered early, it would be helpful for those with plans to visit Hiroshima at this time.

Visitors to Hiroshima generally travel to other parts of Japan, too, so it might be good to provide information about Hiroshima at lodging places outside of the city.

2. Create opportunities to interact with atomic bomb survivors and Hiroshima citizens

We heard a number of requests for a chance to speak with atomic bomb survivors and Hiroshima citizens. We think it would be good if there was a place where people could relax and drink tea together, talking about peace in a setting apart from a lecture or seminar.

Another idea involves using a video link system to connect atomic bomb survivors and visitors in Hiroshima with participants at peace events overseas. After a chance to communicate with one another, everyone involved could fold a thousand paper cranes and make a wish for peace together.

3. Offer tours of Hiroshima in foreign languages

We think it would be helpful to organize tours of the city in foreign languages.

At spots where photos were taken before the bombing or during reconstruction, we could set up posters with the images and descriptions, in many languages, so it would be possible to compare the present with the past. And, for visitors to imagine the aftermath of the blast, a cruise along the river where many victims jumped into the water and died there could be arranged.

(Shotaro Takata, 15 and Moeko Takaki,14)

How does Hiroshima prepare for the day?

English maps / Volunteer guides / Free camp site

We also checked into the kind of services offered by the City of Hiroshima on August 6.

A program with information about the Peace Memorial Ceremony is provided in Japanese and English. Headsets to listen to the English interpretation of the ceremony are also made available.

A free map in English will be distributed at eight locations, including the park's tourist information center. The map is printed in color and consists of four pages in A4 size. Also included is information about a number of events taking place around August 6.

In front of the A-bomb Dome and under the main building of Peace Memorial Museum, special desks will be set up where requests can be made for volunteer guides. About ten of these guides speak English.

From August 4-7, a free campground is available to the public on the campus of Hiroshima City University. This camp site is called "Hiroshima peace camp 2009" and is organized by student volunteers, including those who speak English, German, Chinese and others. On the night of August 5, a concert and Japanese Bon dancing will be held there.

A representative of the volunteer group, Junpei Jodai, 22, said, "I hope visitors feel 'peace' through their interactions with people from around the world, not just from their visit to Peace Memorial Museum." (Minako Iwata, 15 and Yusuke Suemoto, 12)

How should the anniversary of August 6 be shared with foreign visitors?Overcoming the language barrier

How should the anniversary of August 6 be shared with foreign visitors?
Overcoming the language barrier