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Junior Writers Reporting

Junior writers discuss promoting peace with visiting American students

by Rie Nii, Staff Writer

Junior writers from the Chugoku Shimbun, who write articles on peace-related topics and pursue additional efforts to promote peace in the world, met with American teenagers from California to discuss such subjects as nuclear weapons and peace education. The exchange took place at Honkawa Elementary School in Naka Ward, Hiroshima, which is located about 410 meters from the hypocenter of the atomic bombing. They also visited the school’s Peace Museum, which was renovated from the A-bombed school building.

Seven junior writers, students ranging from their third year in junior high school to their second year in high school, and five American students from Northeast Preparatory Academy High School, ages 13 to 17, took part in the discussion. The students split into two groups to share their views.

When a junior writer asked the American students if they thought nuclear weapons could be eliminated from the world, one male student replied that politicians are unwilling to relinquish their nuclear arsenals because of their thirst for power. The student said, though, that he personally hopes nuclear arms can be abolished. A female student added that she believes the number of nuclear weapons could even increase if Donald Trump, the frontrunner to become the Republican presidential candidate, was elected.

As for peace education, in order to explain current conditions in the United States, one student from California said that a rising number of Americans are becoming less aware of the horror of nuclear weapons and war, and that the importance of peace isn’t being taught in U.S. high schools, either.

The Japanese and American students then toured Honkawa Elementary School’s Peace Museum, guided by a graduate of the school. After that, the students from Northeast Preparatory Academy High School performed a recitation play that depicted the reality of human rights violations involving women at rural villages in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Hannah LoBue-Deshais, 17, who was visiting Hiroshima for the first time, said that she would like to share her experience interacting with teens in Hiroshima at her school when she returned to the United States. Kyoko Yamada, a second-year high school student and a junior writer for the Chugoku Shimbun, said, “I thought it was encouraging to know that some Americans are concerned about the dwindling opportunities for peace education at schools in their nation. I want to keep in touch with them.”

Impressions from junior writers

I can’t speak English very well so it was hard to talk to the American students. But I think it was good to hold a discussion with them because I was able to exchange views on peace with others of my generation and that was very fruitful. I’d like to improve my English ability so I can express myself better next time. (Hiromi Ueoka, 14)

Because we had to use English, it was difficult to clearly convey my thoughts to the American students. But we were able to reaffirm our wish for a peaceful world, which is a goal we share, through a play about women in Pakistan and our tour of the Peace Museum. (Shunichi Kamichoja, 15)

It was the first time for me to tour the museum and take part in a tea ceremony with people from another country. There was a language barrier between us when we tried to communicate, but I thought it was also an important chance to learn more about the culture and history of their country. (Nanase Shode, 15)

At school, we learned about discrimination against women in the Middle East, but I had simply thought there was nothing we could do about this from Japan. However, when I watched the play by the American students, it was an eye-opening experience because I realized that it’s possible to make an appeal about something through a play like this. And I was really impressed by their serious expressions and tone of voice during the performance. The junior writers have been writing newspaper articles to convey messages of peace. At the same time, I thought it would be good if we could collaborate with the other group, which has been appealing for peace in a different way. (Shiori Niitani, 16)

When the American students performed their play, which depicted the accounts of four women in Pakistan and Afghanistan, I watched it without looking at the Japanese text so I could understand the nuance directly, as much as I could. Until I saw the play, I hadn’t known how women in these countries were attacked violently by their husbands, or that they could be murdered for simply standing and talking to strangers. After we took in their appeal in the form of this play, we held a discussion. I felt that the aim of their performance was to raise other people’s awareness of this situation, and raise their own awareness, too, rather than putting their focus on promoting a peaceful world. (Marika Tsuboki, 15)

(Originally published on March 28, 2016)

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