Messages from Mayors for Peace: 15 mayors from Ibaraki and Chiba Prefectures
Feb. 5, 2015
1. Yasushi Takahashi, Mayor of Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Nearly 70 years have passed since the atomic bombings. We must not forget the fact that today’s peace was founded on the precious sacrifices of so many. With the generations that experienced World War II now aging, it is our obligation to convey the tragedy of war and the preciousness of peace.
The year 2015 marks the 3oth anniversary since the city of Mito adopted a “Nuclear Weapon Abolition Peace City Declaration.” We will pursue various projects in which young people, the builders of the future, can learn about peace and nuclear abolition, give thought to these issues, and convey them to others to help advance lasting peace in the world.
2. Toru Tsuboi, Mayor of Kasumigaura City, Ibaraki Prefecture
The atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and on Nagasaki on August 9, taking the precious lives of so many in an instant. I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the victims and my sincere sympathy to the sufferers of the atomic bombings.
Seventy years have passed since the bombings and the end of World War II. Japan, the only country that has experienced atomic bombings, must continue calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons to the other nations of the world.
I believe it is our mission to work for a peaceful world in the future by making use of our past experiences, instead of simply looking back at history.
3. Toru Takasugi, Mayor of Joso City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Seventy years have passed since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This year we should send out our message to the world that we will renew our desire for the abolition of nuclear weapons and create a world without war.
This message will say that Japan, the only nation in the world to have suffered atomic bombings, will appeal for the abolition of nuclear weapons to all other countries.
The message will convey the significance of Article 9 of our peace constitution, our source of pride, to the international community, as we seek to promote a powerful movement that can create countries without war.
The message will also say that Mayors for Peace will expand the circle of peace administration and peace education among municipalities and citizens.
I would like to devote myself to these efforts.
4. Kenichi Ichihara, Mayor of Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture
The city of Tsukuba adopted a “Nuclear-Free Peace City Declaration” in 1990 to express our desire for the abolition of nuclear weapons and peace to the people of Japan and around the world. Although peace is a desire shared by all human beings, the reality is that the ravages of war and conflict still persist on this earth.
Japan has experienced war in the past and is the only country to have suffered atomic bombings. All of us who were born and raised in Japan should be profoundly aware of the preciousness of peace so that the tragedies of history are not repeated.
With the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings, and with A-bomb survivors advancing in age, I pray for the abolition of nuclear weapons and a lasting peace so that human beings can realize a world without nuclear arms as early as possible.
5. Yasuhei Onizawa, Mayor of Hokota City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Seventy years have passed since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki took place in 1945. Today, those who experienced the atomic bombings are aging and most of the survivors still suffer pains to their minds and bodies.
Momentum for the abolition of nuclear weapons has been growing, with various peace efforts being pursued in many countries to eliminate nuclear arms, a desire shared by A-bomb survivors and the people of Japan.
Threats still exist. For instance, the development of nuclear weapons, and their numbers, continue to advance in some nations. Removing nuclear weapons from the earth and realizing a peaceful world is an aspiration shared by humanity. I sincerely hope that a peaceful world without nuclear weapons will soon be achieved.
6. Sakae Nakajima, Mayor of Miho Village, Ibaraki Prefecture
Seventy years have passed since the time Hiroshima suffered the atomic bombing. A large number of precious lives have been lost since then, and the people of Hiroshima have continued to send out messages of peace as they embrace the tragedy in their hearts. I express my heartfelt respect for their determination and untiring efforts.
Since becoming a “Nuclear-Free Peace Village” in 1988, the village of Miho has been sending participants to the annual Peace Memorial Ceremony to listen to the accounts of those who experienced the atomic bombing. We must hand down our desire for a nuclear-free and peaceful future to the generations to come, who can help build that future.
7. Junichiro Hoshino, Mayor of Abiko City, Chiba Prefecture
The city of Abiko issued a “Peace City Declaration” in 1985 and enacted the “Peace Project Promotion Ordinance” in 2008. With the participation of our citizens, we have pursued a variety of peace projects. One project involves sending junior high school students to Hiroshima and Nagasaki every year since 2005 so they can understand the horror of the atomic bombings and war as well as the preciousness of peace.
This year marks the milestone 70th year since the atomic bombings and the end of World War II. As the number of people who experienced the war and the atomic bombings continues to decline, the city of Abiko will work in earnest to help create a world without war and nuclear weapons through steady efforts.
8. Hideki Matsuzaki, Mayor of Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture
Although 70 years have passed since the end of World War II and a quarter century has passed since the end of the Cold War, when we turn our eyes to world affairs, it is still hard to say that our world is at peace.
The city of Urayasu has been pursuing various anti-nuclear and peace projects, including sending junior high school leaders as peace envoys to the A-bombed cities and listening to A-bomb survivors’ accounts with the cooperation of survivors residing in our city, as we seek to convey the tragedy of war and the preciousness of peace to our citizens.
The year 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing and the 30th anniversary of our city’s declaration as a “Nuclear-Free and Peace City.” We are organizing a variety of projects to mark these milestones and plan to convey the wish for peace to our citizens. As a member of Mayors for Peace, I will devote myself to handing down to future generations the desire for a total ban on nuclear weapons, and their abolition, as well as our aspiration for establishing a lasting peace.
9. Hiroyasu Akiyama, Mayor of Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture
Seventy years have now passed since the end of World War II, and we tend to forget the scars left by the war. But we must relate the tragedy of war and the preciousness of peace to future generations, so that this disaster will not be repeated.
We hope that armed conflicts and nuclear weapons will be eliminated from the earth as soon as possible. We pray for the arrival of days when people can live happy lives, hand in hand, by overcoming the differences of nationality and ethnicity.
Finally, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the victims of the atomic bombings.
10. Kiyoshi Shimizu, Mayor of Kamagaya City, Chiba Prefecture
Japan is the only country that has experienced the horror of nuclear weapons. We must therefore appeal for the preciousness of peace, so that these horrific events will never be repeated anywhere else in the world.
The city of Kamagaya declared its status as a “Nuclear-Free Peace City” on July 2, 1984 in order to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons and help realize lasting world peace.
We will call for the abolition of nuclear weapons and lasting world peace by making further efforts to pursue peace projects in our city.
11. Takao Hasegawa, Mayor of Kamogawa City, Chiba Prefecture
In 2007, the city of Kamogawa adopted a “Peace City Declaration” in the hope of creating a shared desire for lasting peace in the world among our citizens.
It is only natural to respect the elderly and watch over the sound growth of children. So as not to disregard these daily efforts, or forget the pains wrought by war, we must make appeals in a strong and heartfelt voice.
The wish for peace is compelling in this time of global insecurity. In order to hand down a bright future to our children, the builders of the future, we will continue making earnest efforts.
12. Kiyoshi Deguchi, Mayor of Sodegaura City, Chiba Prefecture
In this milestone year of the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings, I would like to offer my message with a prayer for peace.
The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which stole so many precious lives in the name of war, were extraordinarily tragic events in human history.
We must not forget the lessons from the past as we work to abolish war and nuclear weapons from the earth. We must base our actions on a strong philosophy which aspires for peace to hand down our desires to the generations to come.
I conclude my message by hoping sincerely for the health and prosperity of us all.
13. Taisuke Miyamoto, Mayor of Narashino City, Chiba Prefecture
In the 70th year since the end of World War II, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the victims of the atomic bombings and my sincere sympathy to those who still suffer from the aftereffects.
The city of Narashino adopted a “Nuclear Weapon Abolition Peace City Declaration” in 1982, the first such declaration in Chiba Prefecture and the 12th in Japan.
As a citizen of Japan, the only nation in the world to have suffered atomic bombings, I will continue making efforts to help realize a lasting peace as well as relate to future generations the horrific nature of war and the preciousness of peace.
14. Takashi Nemoto, Mayor of Noda City, Chiba Prefecture
Seventy years have passed since the atomic bombings, which caused the deaths of so many in an instant and showed the horror of nuclear weapons to the world. Today, opportunities for people to gain a deeper understanding of the hardships wrought by war are decreasing. In 1986, with a portion from the walls of the Hiroshima City Hall building which was hit by the atomic bombing, the city of Noda built a monument as a prayer for peace. We are determined to continue stressing the preciousness of peace in order to relate our desire for peace to future generations of our city, a place linked to then Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki, who worked hard to end the war.
15. Shuichi Akiba, Mayor of Yachiyo City, Chiba Prefecture
In 1986, the city of Yachiyo built a peace monument with a portion of the Hiroshima City Hall building which once stood at the time of the atomic bombing. In 1987, the city adopted a “Peace City Declaration.” Since then, we have been pursuing various projects, including a Gathering of Prayer and Offering Flowers every August 6, Peace Panel Exhibitions, and the Yachiyo Peace Program.
The city will continue working with all people who love peace, including its citizens, to help abolish nuclear weapons and create lasting peace in the world.
Nearly 70 years have passed since the atomic bombings. We must not forget the fact that today’s peace was founded on the precious sacrifices of so many. With the generations that experienced World War II now aging, it is our obligation to convey the tragedy of war and the preciousness of peace.
The year 2015 marks the 3oth anniversary since the city of Mito adopted a “Nuclear Weapon Abolition Peace City Declaration.” We will pursue various projects in which young people, the builders of the future, can learn about peace and nuclear abolition, give thought to these issues, and convey them to others to help advance lasting peace in the world.
2. Toru Tsuboi, Mayor of Kasumigaura City, Ibaraki Prefecture
The atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and on Nagasaki on August 9, taking the precious lives of so many in an instant. I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the victims and my sincere sympathy to the sufferers of the atomic bombings.
Seventy years have passed since the bombings and the end of World War II. Japan, the only country that has experienced atomic bombings, must continue calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons to the other nations of the world.
I believe it is our mission to work for a peaceful world in the future by making use of our past experiences, instead of simply looking back at history.
3. Toru Takasugi, Mayor of Joso City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Seventy years have passed since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This year we should send out our message to the world that we will renew our desire for the abolition of nuclear weapons and create a world without war.
This message will say that Japan, the only nation in the world to have suffered atomic bombings, will appeal for the abolition of nuclear weapons to all other countries.
The message will convey the significance of Article 9 of our peace constitution, our source of pride, to the international community, as we seek to promote a powerful movement that can create countries without war.
The message will also say that Mayors for Peace will expand the circle of peace administration and peace education among municipalities and citizens.
I would like to devote myself to these efforts.
4. Kenichi Ichihara, Mayor of Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture
The city of Tsukuba adopted a “Nuclear-Free Peace City Declaration” in 1990 to express our desire for the abolition of nuclear weapons and peace to the people of Japan and around the world. Although peace is a desire shared by all human beings, the reality is that the ravages of war and conflict still persist on this earth.
Japan has experienced war in the past and is the only country to have suffered atomic bombings. All of us who were born and raised in Japan should be profoundly aware of the preciousness of peace so that the tragedies of history are not repeated.
With the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings, and with A-bomb survivors advancing in age, I pray for the abolition of nuclear weapons and a lasting peace so that human beings can realize a world without nuclear arms as early as possible.
5. Yasuhei Onizawa, Mayor of Hokota City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Seventy years have passed since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki took place in 1945. Today, those who experienced the atomic bombings are aging and most of the survivors still suffer pains to their minds and bodies.
Momentum for the abolition of nuclear weapons has been growing, with various peace efforts being pursued in many countries to eliminate nuclear arms, a desire shared by A-bomb survivors and the people of Japan.
Threats still exist. For instance, the development of nuclear weapons, and their numbers, continue to advance in some nations. Removing nuclear weapons from the earth and realizing a peaceful world is an aspiration shared by humanity. I sincerely hope that a peaceful world without nuclear weapons will soon be achieved.
6. Sakae Nakajima, Mayor of Miho Village, Ibaraki Prefecture
Seventy years have passed since the time Hiroshima suffered the atomic bombing. A large number of precious lives have been lost since then, and the people of Hiroshima have continued to send out messages of peace as they embrace the tragedy in their hearts. I express my heartfelt respect for their determination and untiring efforts.
Since becoming a “Nuclear-Free Peace Village” in 1988, the village of Miho has been sending participants to the annual Peace Memorial Ceremony to listen to the accounts of those who experienced the atomic bombing. We must hand down our desire for a nuclear-free and peaceful future to the generations to come, who can help build that future.
7. Junichiro Hoshino, Mayor of Abiko City, Chiba Prefecture
The city of Abiko issued a “Peace City Declaration” in 1985 and enacted the “Peace Project Promotion Ordinance” in 2008. With the participation of our citizens, we have pursued a variety of peace projects. One project involves sending junior high school students to Hiroshima and Nagasaki every year since 2005 so they can understand the horror of the atomic bombings and war as well as the preciousness of peace.
This year marks the milestone 70th year since the atomic bombings and the end of World War II. As the number of people who experienced the war and the atomic bombings continues to decline, the city of Abiko will work in earnest to help create a world without war and nuclear weapons through steady efforts.
8. Hideki Matsuzaki, Mayor of Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture
Although 70 years have passed since the end of World War II and a quarter century has passed since the end of the Cold War, when we turn our eyes to world affairs, it is still hard to say that our world is at peace.
The city of Urayasu has been pursuing various anti-nuclear and peace projects, including sending junior high school leaders as peace envoys to the A-bombed cities and listening to A-bomb survivors’ accounts with the cooperation of survivors residing in our city, as we seek to convey the tragedy of war and the preciousness of peace to our citizens.
The year 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing and the 30th anniversary of our city’s declaration as a “Nuclear-Free and Peace City.” We are organizing a variety of projects to mark these milestones and plan to convey the wish for peace to our citizens. As a member of Mayors for Peace, I will devote myself to handing down to future generations the desire for a total ban on nuclear weapons, and their abolition, as well as our aspiration for establishing a lasting peace.
9. Hiroyasu Akiyama, Mayor of Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture
Seventy years have now passed since the end of World War II, and we tend to forget the scars left by the war. But we must relate the tragedy of war and the preciousness of peace to future generations, so that this disaster will not be repeated.
We hope that armed conflicts and nuclear weapons will be eliminated from the earth as soon as possible. We pray for the arrival of days when people can live happy lives, hand in hand, by overcoming the differences of nationality and ethnicity.
Finally, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the victims of the atomic bombings.
10. Kiyoshi Shimizu, Mayor of Kamagaya City, Chiba Prefecture
Japan is the only country that has experienced the horror of nuclear weapons. We must therefore appeal for the preciousness of peace, so that these horrific events will never be repeated anywhere else in the world.
The city of Kamagaya declared its status as a “Nuclear-Free Peace City” on July 2, 1984 in order to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons and help realize lasting world peace.
We will call for the abolition of nuclear weapons and lasting world peace by making further efforts to pursue peace projects in our city.
11. Takao Hasegawa, Mayor of Kamogawa City, Chiba Prefecture
In 2007, the city of Kamogawa adopted a “Peace City Declaration” in the hope of creating a shared desire for lasting peace in the world among our citizens.
It is only natural to respect the elderly and watch over the sound growth of children. So as not to disregard these daily efforts, or forget the pains wrought by war, we must make appeals in a strong and heartfelt voice.
The wish for peace is compelling in this time of global insecurity. In order to hand down a bright future to our children, the builders of the future, we will continue making earnest efforts.
12. Kiyoshi Deguchi, Mayor of Sodegaura City, Chiba Prefecture
In this milestone year of the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings, I would like to offer my message with a prayer for peace.
The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which stole so many precious lives in the name of war, were extraordinarily tragic events in human history.
We must not forget the lessons from the past as we work to abolish war and nuclear weapons from the earth. We must base our actions on a strong philosophy which aspires for peace to hand down our desires to the generations to come.
I conclude my message by hoping sincerely for the health and prosperity of us all.
13. Taisuke Miyamoto, Mayor of Narashino City, Chiba Prefecture
In the 70th year since the end of World War II, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the victims of the atomic bombings and my sincere sympathy to those who still suffer from the aftereffects.
The city of Narashino adopted a “Nuclear Weapon Abolition Peace City Declaration” in 1982, the first such declaration in Chiba Prefecture and the 12th in Japan.
As a citizen of Japan, the only nation in the world to have suffered atomic bombings, I will continue making efforts to help realize a lasting peace as well as relate to future generations the horrific nature of war and the preciousness of peace.
14. Takashi Nemoto, Mayor of Noda City, Chiba Prefecture
Seventy years have passed since the atomic bombings, which caused the deaths of so many in an instant and showed the horror of nuclear weapons to the world. Today, opportunities for people to gain a deeper understanding of the hardships wrought by war are decreasing. In 1986, with a portion from the walls of the Hiroshima City Hall building which was hit by the atomic bombing, the city of Noda built a monument as a prayer for peace. We are determined to continue stressing the preciousness of peace in order to relate our desire for peace to future generations of our city, a place linked to then Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki, who worked hard to end the war.
15. Shuichi Akiba, Mayor of Yachiyo City, Chiba Prefecture
In 1986, the city of Yachiyo built a peace monument with a portion of the Hiroshima City Hall building which once stood at the time of the atomic bombing. In 1987, the city adopted a “Peace City Declaration.” Since then, we have been pursuing various projects, including a Gathering of Prayer and Offering Flowers every August 6, Peace Panel Exhibitions, and the Yachiyo Peace Program.
The city will continue working with all people who love peace, including its citizens, to help abolish nuclear weapons and create lasting peace in the world.
