Head of Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation returns from Marshall Islands after attending memorial ceremony for nuclear victims
Mar. 12, 2014
by Junji Akechi, Staff Writer
Yasuyoshi Komizo, chairperson of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, held a news conference on March 7 and reported on his visit to the Marshall Islands. He traveled to the islands in the Pacific Ocean in conjunction with the 60th Bikini Day, the anniversary of a U.S. hydrogen bomb test held at Bikini Atoll. Mr. Komizo said, “I was able to convey Hiroshima’s message and share our determination to abolish nuclear weapons alongside the president and other people.”
On March 1, 1954, a hydrogen bomb test conducted by the United States at Bikini Atoll caused serious harm to local residents as well as crew members of the Daigo Fukuryu Maru (Lucky Dragon No. 5), a Japanese tuna fishing boat from Yaizu, Shizuoka Prefecture. For the 60th anniversary of the bomb test, Mr. Komizo visited Majuro, the capital, on behalf of Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui from February 26 through March 3. He handed the mayor’s letter to Christopher Loeak, president of the Marshall Islands. Representing the City of Hiroshima for the first time, Mr. Komizo attended a memorial ceremony for nuclear victims sponsored by the government of the Marshall Islands.
During the news conference held at Hiroshima City Hall, Mr. Komizo recalled an account by a woman from Rongelap Atoll. He said, “I was moved by her account of the anguish she felt being forced to leave her hometown and facing the hardships of discrimination because of her exposure to radiation.” He stressed, “We share the responsibility of communicating their feelings and wishes to the world.” He said he intended to convey a true picture of nuclear victims through his work with Mayors for Peace, which has a membership of some 5,900 cities worldwide, as well as other activities.
(Originally published on March 8, 2014)
Yasuyoshi Komizo, chairperson of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, held a news conference on March 7 and reported on his visit to the Marshall Islands. He traveled to the islands in the Pacific Ocean in conjunction with the 60th Bikini Day, the anniversary of a U.S. hydrogen bomb test held at Bikini Atoll. Mr. Komizo said, “I was able to convey Hiroshima’s message and share our determination to abolish nuclear weapons alongside the president and other people.”
On March 1, 1954, a hydrogen bomb test conducted by the United States at Bikini Atoll caused serious harm to local residents as well as crew members of the Daigo Fukuryu Maru (Lucky Dragon No. 5), a Japanese tuna fishing boat from Yaizu, Shizuoka Prefecture. For the 60th anniversary of the bomb test, Mr. Komizo visited Majuro, the capital, on behalf of Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui from February 26 through March 3. He handed the mayor’s letter to Christopher Loeak, president of the Marshall Islands. Representing the City of Hiroshima for the first time, Mr. Komizo attended a memorial ceremony for nuclear victims sponsored by the government of the Marshall Islands.
During the news conference held at Hiroshima City Hall, Mr. Komizo recalled an account by a woman from Rongelap Atoll. He said, “I was moved by her account of the anguish she felt being forced to leave her hometown and facing the hardships of discrimination because of her exposure to radiation.” He stressed, “We share the responsibility of communicating their feelings and wishes to the world.” He said he intended to convey a true picture of nuclear victims through his work with Mayors for Peace, which has a membership of some 5,900 cities worldwide, as well as other activities.
(Originally published on March 8, 2014)
