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"Commitment to Peace" read by Hiroshima children

by Takahiko Mondo, Staff Writer

On August 6, Kazuhiro Yokobayashi, 11, a resident of Nishi Ward and a sixth grader at Furutadai Elementary School, and Mikina Takamatsu, 11, a resident of Naka Ward and a sixth grader at Fukuromachi Elementary School, serving as this year's Children's Representatives, read out the "Commitment to Peace" in the Peace Memorial Ceremony held in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. In the commitment, they offered gratitude to those who came before them and reconstructed the city, and expressed their determination to convey the wish for peace across the world.

Kazuhiro has listened to the experiences of A-bomb survivors at peace-related meetings in school. He said, "Many people are still suffering from the aftereffects of the atomic bombing." He feels alarmed over the continuing threat posed by nuclear weapons. Kazuhiro vowed, looking straight ahead: "It is our mission as the youth of Hiroshima to tell the world what we have learned from the past tragedy."

Mikina's house is within Saikoji Temple, located near Peace Memorial Park. She has been told that her great-grandmother, and other relatives, fell victim to the atomic bombing. However, she had not been fully aware of the "negative legacy" of the A-bomb Dome, which she can see from her room. After learning about those of her generation who have looked squarely at the reality of the bombing, she began to think of the tragedy as her own problem, too.

Chosen as one of the Children's Representatives, Mikina's desire to "learn about the cause of the war and the bombing" has grown.

The words of the commitment were based on compositions written by elementary school students in the city of Hiroshima, among other sources of input.

"It is our turn next. To fill the world with smiling people, we promise to convey our wish from Hiroshima to the future generations."

The blue sky echoed with their bright, clear voices.

(Originally published on August 6, 2010)

Commitment to Peace

August 6, 2010

We love Hiroshima, our beautiful, green city.

Sixty-five years ago on August 6, 8:15 a.m., the first atomic bomb in history was dropped on Hiroshima.

In an instant, many precious lives were lost. Bodies and faces of loved ones were completely disfigured. The bomb destroyed traces of history and culture cultivated over the years by many people, and the city was reduced to ashes.

Amidst the burnt ruins, however, Phoenix Tree and Tree-of-Heaven buds began to sprout. These buds gave citizens the hope and faith that they could rebuild their city. In spite of the destruction and despair, citizens pulled themselves together and gave it their all each day to reconstruct the city, and we are extremely grateful to them.

There are many serious problems in the world today. Many children have lost their smiles in the conflict and poverty that surrounds them. Sad things such as bullying and violence are taking place in our everyday lives. If we do not work to solve these problems, there will be no future for us.

How can we resolve these conflicts? How can we bring smiles to everyone's faces? It is our mission as the youth of Hiroshima to learn from past tragedies and tell the world what we know. We cannot change what happened in the past, but we can learn from it, and if each of us acts with the strong desire for change, we can build a peaceful world.

It is our turn next. To fill the world with smiling people, we promise to convey our wish from Hiroshima to the world and future generations.

Children's Representatives
Mikina Takamatsu (sixth grade, Hiroshima City Fukuromachi Elementary School) 
Kazuhiro Yokobayashi (sixth grade, Hiroshima City Furutadai Elementary School) 
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