Members of Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations report on their visit to Pearl Harbor National Memorial in U.S., sister park of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Feb. 3, 2024
“In direct contrast to nuclear abolition and peace”
by Fumiyasu Miyano, Staff Writer
On February 2, a group of peace studies instructors of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers (chaired by Kunihiko Sakuma) held a debriefing session at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in the city’s Naka Ward to report on their visit to Pearl Harbor National Memorial in the United States. One of the instructors said, “The word ‘war’ caught my eye. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is completely opposite to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima City, which appeals for nuclear abolition and peace.”
Following the conclusion of the sister park agreement between Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Pearl Harbor National Memorial, five peace studies instructors visited Honolulu City from January 20 to 24. At the debriefing session, the group explained that security at the national memorial, which includes a U.S. base, was stringent and they needed to put their belongings into transparent bags. They also said they could not see a paper crane folded by Sadako Sasaki that was supposed to be on display.
According to the group, a model of a nuclear missile to be fired from a submarine was exhibited with an explanation of the importance of nuclear deterrence at the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, whose entrance is a visitor center located in the national memorial. Referring to Hiroshima City government’s policy of dispatching A-bomb survivors and young people to Pearl Harbor National Memorial as early as this summer, Takahiro Tsuji, 64, an instructor of the group, said, “We will carefully consider what to learn and where to visit for what.”
(Originally published on February 3, 2024)
