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by Miho Kuwajima, Staff Writer

On April 20, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the messages, and their provisional translations, written on April 19 in a guest book by the leaders of the G7 (Group of Seven industrialized nations) at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, located in the city’s Naka Ward. With an understanding of the inhumane nature of the atomic bombing, the G7 leaders—including those representing the nuclear weapons states of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France—all wrote messages, with U.S. President Joe Biden describing his desire for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

Mr. Biden is the second sitting U.S. president to have visited the museum, following Barack Obama in 2016. In the guest book, he described his determination to, “Together — let us continue to make progress toward the day when we can finally and forever rid the world of nuclear weapons.”

The visit to the museum was a first for the acting leaders of the United Kingdom and France. U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak referred to the suffering of the A-bomb survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. “But what we can say, with all our hearts and all our souls, is no more,” he wrote. French President Emmanuel Macron inscribed the words, “It is up to us to contribute to the duty of…acting for peace.”

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida referred to the significance of holding of the summit in the A-bombed city of Hiroshima. “I am gathering here together with the leaders of G7 countries to achieve a world without nuclear weapons.” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote, “A nuclear war must never ever be waged again.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni indicated, “Today, let us recall the past and together draw a future filled with hope.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote, “Canada pays solemn tribute to the many lives lost, the unspeakable grief of the Hibakusha, and the immense suffering of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.” In their messages, Charles Michel, president of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, wrote about the importance of preserving peace.

Below are full texts of the G7 leaders’ messages written in the museum’s guest book. U.S. President Joe Biden’s message included the sentiment, “Together — let us continue to make progress toward the day when we can finally and forever rid the world of nuclear weapons.”

On May 20, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the messages G7 leaders had written in the guest book at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum during the G7 summit. (Provisional translations included)

Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan
As chair of the G7, I am gathering here together with the leaders of G7 countries on this historic occasion of the G7 summit to realize a world without nuclear weapons.

Emmanuel Macron, President of France
With emotion and compassion, it is up to us to contribute to the duty of remembering the victims of Hiroshima and act for peace, the only battle that deserves to be fought.

Joe Biden, President of the United States
May the stories of this Museum remind us all of our obligations to build a future of peace. Together — let us continue to make progress toward the day when we can finally and forever rid the world of nuclear weapons. Keep the faith!

Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Canada pays solemn tribute to the many lives lost, the unspeakable grief of the Hibakusha, and the immense suffering of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Your story will remain forever etched in our collective consciousness.

Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany
This place reminds us of inconceivable suffering. We make a new pledge along with our partners gathered here today to protect peace and freedom with even stronger resolve. A nuclear war must never ever be waged again.　

Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy
Today, let us pause and remain in prayer. Today, let us remember that darkness did not prevail. Today, let us recall the past and together draw a future filled with hope.

Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Shakespeare tells us to “give sorrow words.” Yet language fails in the light of the bomb’s flash. No words can describe the horror and suffering of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But what we can say, with all our hearts and all our souls, is no more.

Charles Michel, President of the European Council
An immense tragedy took place here almost 80 years ago. It reminds us what we—as G7—are defending. And why we are defending it. Peace and freedom. Because it's what all human beings want most.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
What happened in Hiroshima is still today haunting humanity. It is a stark reminder of the terrible cost of war—and our everlasting duty to protect and preserve peace.

(Originally published on May 21, 2023)