Messages from Mayors for Peace: 17 Mayors from Hokkaido and Tohoku Regions
Apr. 13, 2015
1. Masami Ueno, Mayor of Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido
A peaceful world and the abolition of nuclear weapons are desires shared by all human beings. We, the people of the only nation on earth to have experienced atomic bombings, must continue conveying the horror of war and the preciousness of peace to future generations without repeating the mistakes of the past.
The city of Kitahiroshima has marked its 130th year since 103 people in 25 households from Hiroshima Prefecture settled here as pioneers in 1884 with the aim of establishing a new village. In 1988, we adopted a “Peace City Declaration.” To commemorate our city status, granted in 1996, we received fire from the “Flame of Peace” in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The city of Kitahiroshima and its citizens have cherished this flame, which burns with the desire for peace in the world.
We express our sincere wish for lasting world peace through the peace awareness projects we will continue to pursue with our citizens.
2. Makoto Sakurada, Mayor of Kitami City, Hokkaido
With the aim of offering opportunities for younger generations who were born after the war to reflect on the horror of war and the preciousness of peace, the city of Kitami has been conducting such programs as the “Hiroshima Peace Tour,” where elementary school students and junior high school students attend the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony, and “Peace Talks,” where A-bomb survivors are invited to share their experiences.
The hearts of junior high school students who have heard the survivors’ accounts have been moved with the desire that “war must never again be waged.” Cherishing this deep desire as its foundation, the city of Kitami will continue making diligent efforts to help realize a peaceful world without nuclear weapons.
3. Mitsuru Kamada, Mayor of Kuromatsunai Town, Hokkaido
Nearly 70 years have passed since the atomic bombings took many precious lives. The town of Kuromatsunai has been conveying the preciousness of peace through school trips in which our junior high school students visit the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima to see the tragic consequences wrought by nuclear weapons.
Although many years have passed, I sincerely hope that we will never forget the fact that our peace in the present has been built on the tragic experiences of the past and that a world without war and nuclear weapons can be realized.
4. Ichiro Terasaki, Mayor of Moseushi Town, Hokkaido
Seventy years ago, the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, attacks that took the lives of so many in an instant and even, to this day, continue to cause suffering to many more.
Hokkaido’s history is not long since the time of our pioneers. The lives we live today were made possible by the tenacious efforts of our ancestors. To hand down this rich living environment to the children of the future, we must never allow another war to be waged.
In 1995, our town adopted a “Nuclear-free Peace Town Declaration” and raised a peace monument in Urara Park. We will convey the preciousness of peace to the generations to come, together with the people of the A-bombed cities.
5. Kazumi Sasaki, Mayor of Makkari Village, Hokkaido
Seventy years have now passed since World War II. Japan is still the only nation on earth to have suffered atomic bombings. With inexpressible bitterness over the fact that so many citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki lost their lives, I would like to express my sincere sympathy to the A-bomb survivors for their hardships and my respect for their continuing efforts to advance the abolition of nuclear arms.
It has been argued that peace can be sustained by the deterrence of the nuclear umbrella and by the military balance of power with nuclear weapons, but this is exceedingly unreasonable and requires military expenditures.
It is true that terrorist acts and conflicts in various nations have been occurring recently, but I believe that seeking a resolution to these problems through military force will never bring about a lasting peace.
Japan must maintain the three non-nuclear principles and non-possession of nuclear weapons, and call for other nations to support the abolition of nuclear arms.
6. Hiroaki Tanifuji, Mayor of Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
Seventy years have passed since the atomic bombings, which stole away the precious lives of scores of people in an instant. I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the victims whose lives were lost so suddenly, with such regret.
It is our obligation to convey the importance of peace to the future without forgetting the lessons learned from that horrible war and continue making earnest efforts for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of a peaceful planet.
As a nuclear-free peace city, the city of Morioka is determined to make efforts to help realize a lasting peace in the world.
7. Kimiaki Toda, Mayor of Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture
I believe there is significance in that the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings is being marked in the midst of mounting efforts to abolish nuclear weapons.
Peace is a universal philosophy, a desire shared by the people of the world.
Japan, the only country to have experienced atomic bombings and the horror of nuclear weapons, must continue to call for the world to make the 21st century “a century without nuclear weapons.”
The city of Ofunato holds the strong desire to advance nuclear disarmament and the abolition of nuclear weapons. I would like to express my deepest respect to those who have continued to make tireless efforts to realize a peaceful, nuclear-free world, and I pray for lasting peace.
8. Nobuhiro Mizukami, Mayor of Hirono Town, Iwate Prefecture
In September 2006, based on the fact that Japan is the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, the town of Hirono adopted a “Nuclear-free Peace Town Declaration,” which declares that the “tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will never be repeated.” In December 2010, the city joined Mayors for Peace to help with efforts to realize a peaceful world without nuclear weapons.
The ravages of civil wars and conflicts still persist in the world and nuclear weapons still menace the human family.
So as not to repeat the tragic history of 70 years ago, I sincerely hope that we will abolish nuclear weapons, and their potential to annihilate the human race, through a real lasting peace created by respecting human rights and nurturing peace-loving hearts.
9. Isamu Sato, Mayor of Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture
We are aware that when an atomic bomb explodes people will die. We are aware that when an atomic bomb explodes it will bring about sorrow.
We must understand the horror of war and convey this to the generations to come.
We must understand the preciousness of life and convey this to the generations to come.
I hope that human beings around the world will live in permanent peace for the next 1000 years, for the next 2000 years.
10. Katsuo Suzuki, Mayor of Rifu Town, Miyagi Prefecture
In 2010, the town of Rifu adopted a “Nuclear-free Peace Town Declaration” at its town council. In addition, we have been pursuing nuclear-free and peace promotion activities by joining Mayors for Peace in 2013 with the hope that the tragedies of the past will never be repeated.
The year 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the days when horrific nuclear weapons were dropped on cities in Japan. Even now the ravages of wars still persist in various parts of the world. Japan, the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, bears the mission to continue calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting peace.
We will continue making efforts by joining hands with other member cities of Mayors for Peace so that children in the future can live in a peaceful world.
11. Motomu Hozumi, Mayor of Akita City
On the night before the war ended, our city suffered a massive air raid, the last massive air raid to hit Japan.
I have renewed my resolve, considering it our obligation to convey the preciousness of peace and the horror of war to the world and to the next generation in the milestone year of the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings and the end of World War II.
I will appeal our aspirations for a lasting peace from the city of Akita to the world in order to forge a bright future for the children who will lead the following generations.
12. Tadanaga Yokoyama, Mayor of Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture
The year 2015 marks the milestone year of the 7oth anniversary of the atomic bombings. As the only A-bombed nation on earth, Japan must appeal to the world for the abolition of nuclear weapons and a total ban on nuclear weapons by conveying the consequences of the atomic bombings to future generations so this tragedy will not be repeated.
I sincerely pray that all nuclear arsenals are removed from the earth as soon as possible so that humanity can live lives of peace and security.
13. Junki Yamao, Mayor of Shinjo City, Yamagata Prefecture
Seventy years have passed since the end of World War II, and the number of people who experienced the war continues to decline. Because of this, we recently have become less conscious of war, but when we turn our eyes to world affairs, we find conflict still raging in various places.
We believe that we have a mission to continue conveying the tragedy of war and the horror of nuclear weapons to future generations and build a world where people can live in genuine peace.
Let us hand down such peace to the world and future generations by recognizing anew that our peace today was built on the great sacrifices made by the people in the war and the hard work performed by those during the period of reconstruction that came after.
14. Masaki Enomoto, Mayor of Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
In 2015, which marks the milestone year of the 7oth anniversary of the atomic bombings, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the victims of the atomic bombings and my sympathy to the people who still suffer from the aftereffects.
In March 2011, the city of Tsuruoka adopted the “Tsuruoka City Peace City Declaration,” which appeals for the immediate abolition of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, and expresses determination to build a lasting peace and culture without war.
We will promote activities among our citizens which convey the tragedy of war and the preciousness of peace, keeping in mind the experiences of the past. And we will work together with member cities of Mayors for Peace to advance a lasting peace in the world.
15. Kaoru Kobayashi, Mayor of Fukushima City
With the wish to abolish nuclear weapons and realize a lasting peace in the world, the city of Fukushima adopted the “Nuclear Weapon Abolition Peace City Declaration” in 1986, and has pursued various peace projects to appeal for the abolition of nuclear arms.
In the milestone year of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, I renew my determination to promote a lasting peace, I express my deepest condolences to the victims who lost their lives in war, and I sincerely hope for Hiroshima’s continued development. I also pledge that the city of Fukushima will continue making efforts to help realize peace in the world.
16. Shohei Muroi, Mayor of Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
For the people of Japan, the only nation in the world to have suffered atomic bombings, we have the important role of continuing to make earnest efforts to help create a peaceful planet without nuclear weapons.
The city of Aizuwakamatsu adopted the “Nuclear Weapon Abolition Peace City Declaration” in 1985, and we have continued various efforts so that our citizens can understand the horror of nuclear arms and the preciousness of peace. In this milestone year of the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the end of World War II, I renew my desire to work for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting peace in the world.
17. Katsunobu Sakurai, Mayor of Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture
In June 2009, the city of Minamisoma adopted the “Nuclear Weapon Abolition Peace City Declaration” to preserve our local community, rich in nature and tradition, for many years to come. But soon afterward, in March 2011, came the accident at the nuclear power plant in our vicinity and its terrible impact, forcing the people of our city to struggle with the dangers of widespread radiation and even evacuate from the area.
As a result, we now see it as our mission to convey the effects of radiation and the horror of nuclear weapons to the world. We will make efforts to hand down our beautiful local community to the future by continuing to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons.
A peaceful world and the abolition of nuclear weapons are desires shared by all human beings. We, the people of the only nation on earth to have experienced atomic bombings, must continue conveying the horror of war and the preciousness of peace to future generations without repeating the mistakes of the past.
The city of Kitahiroshima has marked its 130th year since 103 people in 25 households from Hiroshima Prefecture settled here as pioneers in 1884 with the aim of establishing a new village. In 1988, we adopted a “Peace City Declaration.” To commemorate our city status, granted in 1996, we received fire from the “Flame of Peace” in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The city of Kitahiroshima and its citizens have cherished this flame, which burns with the desire for peace in the world.
We express our sincere wish for lasting world peace through the peace awareness projects we will continue to pursue with our citizens.
2. Makoto Sakurada, Mayor of Kitami City, Hokkaido
With the aim of offering opportunities for younger generations who were born after the war to reflect on the horror of war and the preciousness of peace, the city of Kitami has been conducting such programs as the “Hiroshima Peace Tour,” where elementary school students and junior high school students attend the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony, and “Peace Talks,” where A-bomb survivors are invited to share their experiences.
The hearts of junior high school students who have heard the survivors’ accounts have been moved with the desire that “war must never again be waged.” Cherishing this deep desire as its foundation, the city of Kitami will continue making diligent efforts to help realize a peaceful world without nuclear weapons.
3. Mitsuru Kamada, Mayor of Kuromatsunai Town, Hokkaido
Nearly 70 years have passed since the atomic bombings took many precious lives. The town of Kuromatsunai has been conveying the preciousness of peace through school trips in which our junior high school students visit the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima to see the tragic consequences wrought by nuclear weapons.
Although many years have passed, I sincerely hope that we will never forget the fact that our peace in the present has been built on the tragic experiences of the past and that a world without war and nuclear weapons can be realized.
4. Ichiro Terasaki, Mayor of Moseushi Town, Hokkaido
Seventy years ago, the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, attacks that took the lives of so many in an instant and even, to this day, continue to cause suffering to many more.
Hokkaido’s history is not long since the time of our pioneers. The lives we live today were made possible by the tenacious efforts of our ancestors. To hand down this rich living environment to the children of the future, we must never allow another war to be waged.
In 1995, our town adopted a “Nuclear-free Peace Town Declaration” and raised a peace monument in Urara Park. We will convey the preciousness of peace to the generations to come, together with the people of the A-bombed cities.
5. Kazumi Sasaki, Mayor of Makkari Village, Hokkaido
Seventy years have now passed since World War II. Japan is still the only nation on earth to have suffered atomic bombings. With inexpressible bitterness over the fact that so many citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki lost their lives, I would like to express my sincere sympathy to the A-bomb survivors for their hardships and my respect for their continuing efforts to advance the abolition of nuclear arms.
It has been argued that peace can be sustained by the deterrence of the nuclear umbrella and by the military balance of power with nuclear weapons, but this is exceedingly unreasonable and requires military expenditures.
It is true that terrorist acts and conflicts in various nations have been occurring recently, but I believe that seeking a resolution to these problems through military force will never bring about a lasting peace.
Japan must maintain the three non-nuclear principles and non-possession of nuclear weapons, and call for other nations to support the abolition of nuclear arms.
6. Hiroaki Tanifuji, Mayor of Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
Seventy years have passed since the atomic bombings, which stole away the precious lives of scores of people in an instant. I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the victims whose lives were lost so suddenly, with such regret.
It is our obligation to convey the importance of peace to the future without forgetting the lessons learned from that horrible war and continue making earnest efforts for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of a peaceful planet.
As a nuclear-free peace city, the city of Morioka is determined to make efforts to help realize a lasting peace in the world.
7. Kimiaki Toda, Mayor of Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture
I believe there is significance in that the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings is being marked in the midst of mounting efforts to abolish nuclear weapons.
Peace is a universal philosophy, a desire shared by the people of the world.
Japan, the only country to have experienced atomic bombings and the horror of nuclear weapons, must continue to call for the world to make the 21st century “a century without nuclear weapons.”
The city of Ofunato holds the strong desire to advance nuclear disarmament and the abolition of nuclear weapons. I would like to express my deepest respect to those who have continued to make tireless efforts to realize a peaceful, nuclear-free world, and I pray for lasting peace.
8. Nobuhiro Mizukami, Mayor of Hirono Town, Iwate Prefecture
In September 2006, based on the fact that Japan is the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, the town of Hirono adopted a “Nuclear-free Peace Town Declaration,” which declares that the “tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will never be repeated.” In December 2010, the city joined Mayors for Peace to help with efforts to realize a peaceful world without nuclear weapons.
The ravages of civil wars and conflicts still persist in the world and nuclear weapons still menace the human family.
So as not to repeat the tragic history of 70 years ago, I sincerely hope that we will abolish nuclear weapons, and their potential to annihilate the human race, through a real lasting peace created by respecting human rights and nurturing peace-loving hearts.
9. Isamu Sato, Mayor of Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture
We are aware that when an atomic bomb explodes people will die. We are aware that when an atomic bomb explodes it will bring about sorrow.
We must understand the horror of war and convey this to the generations to come.
We must understand the preciousness of life and convey this to the generations to come.
I hope that human beings around the world will live in permanent peace for the next 1000 years, for the next 2000 years.
10. Katsuo Suzuki, Mayor of Rifu Town, Miyagi Prefecture
In 2010, the town of Rifu adopted a “Nuclear-free Peace Town Declaration” at its town council. In addition, we have been pursuing nuclear-free and peace promotion activities by joining Mayors for Peace in 2013 with the hope that the tragedies of the past will never be repeated.
The year 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the days when horrific nuclear weapons were dropped on cities in Japan. Even now the ravages of wars still persist in various parts of the world. Japan, the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, bears the mission to continue calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting peace.
We will continue making efforts by joining hands with other member cities of Mayors for Peace so that children in the future can live in a peaceful world.
11. Motomu Hozumi, Mayor of Akita City
On the night before the war ended, our city suffered a massive air raid, the last massive air raid to hit Japan.
I have renewed my resolve, considering it our obligation to convey the preciousness of peace and the horror of war to the world and to the next generation in the milestone year of the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings and the end of World War II.
I will appeal our aspirations for a lasting peace from the city of Akita to the world in order to forge a bright future for the children who will lead the following generations.
12. Tadanaga Yokoyama, Mayor of Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture
The year 2015 marks the milestone year of the 7oth anniversary of the atomic bombings. As the only A-bombed nation on earth, Japan must appeal to the world for the abolition of nuclear weapons and a total ban on nuclear weapons by conveying the consequences of the atomic bombings to future generations so this tragedy will not be repeated.
I sincerely pray that all nuclear arsenals are removed from the earth as soon as possible so that humanity can live lives of peace and security.
13. Junki Yamao, Mayor of Shinjo City, Yamagata Prefecture
Seventy years have passed since the end of World War II, and the number of people who experienced the war continues to decline. Because of this, we recently have become less conscious of war, but when we turn our eyes to world affairs, we find conflict still raging in various places.
We believe that we have a mission to continue conveying the tragedy of war and the horror of nuclear weapons to future generations and build a world where people can live in genuine peace.
Let us hand down such peace to the world and future generations by recognizing anew that our peace today was built on the great sacrifices made by the people in the war and the hard work performed by those during the period of reconstruction that came after.
14. Masaki Enomoto, Mayor of Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
In 2015, which marks the milestone year of the 7oth anniversary of the atomic bombings, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the victims of the atomic bombings and my sympathy to the people who still suffer from the aftereffects.
In March 2011, the city of Tsuruoka adopted the “Tsuruoka City Peace City Declaration,” which appeals for the immediate abolition of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, and expresses determination to build a lasting peace and culture without war.
We will promote activities among our citizens which convey the tragedy of war and the preciousness of peace, keeping in mind the experiences of the past. And we will work together with member cities of Mayors for Peace to advance a lasting peace in the world.
15. Kaoru Kobayashi, Mayor of Fukushima City
With the wish to abolish nuclear weapons and realize a lasting peace in the world, the city of Fukushima adopted the “Nuclear Weapon Abolition Peace City Declaration” in 1986, and has pursued various peace projects to appeal for the abolition of nuclear arms.
In the milestone year of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, I renew my determination to promote a lasting peace, I express my deepest condolences to the victims who lost their lives in war, and I sincerely hope for Hiroshima’s continued development. I also pledge that the city of Fukushima will continue making efforts to help realize peace in the world.
16. Shohei Muroi, Mayor of Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
For the people of Japan, the only nation in the world to have suffered atomic bombings, we have the important role of continuing to make earnest efforts to help create a peaceful planet without nuclear weapons.
The city of Aizuwakamatsu adopted the “Nuclear Weapon Abolition Peace City Declaration” in 1985, and we have continued various efforts so that our citizens can understand the horror of nuclear arms and the preciousness of peace. In this milestone year of the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the end of World War II, I renew my desire to work for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting peace in the world.
17. Katsunobu Sakurai, Mayor of Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture
In June 2009, the city of Minamisoma adopted the “Nuclear Weapon Abolition Peace City Declaration” to preserve our local community, rich in nature and tradition, for many years to come. But soon afterward, in March 2011, came the accident at the nuclear power plant in our vicinity and its terrible impact, forcing the people of our city to struggle with the dangers of widespread radiation and even evacuate from the area.
As a result, we now see it as our mission to convey the effects of radiation and the horror of nuclear weapons to the world. We will make efforts to hand down our beautiful local community to the future by continuing to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons.
