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Hiroshima to seek wording for Hiroshima Peace Declaration from A-bomb survivors

by Yumi Kanazaki, Staff Writer

On May 30, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui officially announced that the City will, starting on June 1, publicly seek the experiences and aspirations for peace of A-bomb survivors to be quoted in this year's Peace Declaration, a message delivered by the mayor of Hiroshima at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 6. The selected writings will be incorporated in the declaration and read aloud at the ceremony, with a wish for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

Mr. Matsui stressed, “It is important to share the experiences and feelings of the A-bomb survivors with the next generation and convey them to the world.” He indicated that he himself would draft the declaration, as previous Hiroshima mayors have done, and said: “There are good things about the traditional manner of creating the declaration. This new approach is a kind of middle course. The contents of this year's declaration will more strongly convey the feelings of Hiroshima citizens.”

In reaction to this announcement, Sunao Tsuboi, chair of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations, stated, “We hope that the mayor will steadfastly present his ideas and reflect on them alongside the voices of the A-bomb survivors.” Kazuo Okoshi, secretary-general of the other faction of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations, chaired by Kazushi Kaneko, expressed his hopes, saying, “The mayor of Hiroshima reads the Peace Declaration as a representative of Hiroshima citizens. We would like to welcome the idea.”

The City of Hiroshima will invite written submissions from Japan and overseas on the condition that the writer experienced the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. At the same time, writings by family members, in line with an interview process, will be accepted, too. No distinction will be made based on a person's possession of the Atomic Bomb Survivor's Certificate. The deadline for submissions is June 20. A committee comprised of the mayor, an A-bomb survivor, and the director of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, among others, will select the writings to be used for the Peace Declaration. For further information, please contact the City’s Peace Promotion Division at 082-242-7831.

(Originally published on May 31, 2011)

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