Messages

Hiroshima, as the first city to experience the atomic bomb, has long continued to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realisation of permanent peace. However, an enormous amount of nuclear weapons remain stockpiled and deployed on alert status, nuclear proliferation is occurring rapidly, and humanity is now facing a crisis of extinction.

For these reasons, the City of Hiroshima is working towards the “2020 Vision”, which, together with the over 2300 cities around the world that are members of Mayors for Peace, is working towards abolishing nuclear weapons by the year 2020. We are also conducting other projects including working towards the adoption of the “Hiroshima Nagasaki Protocol”, and calling for cities to not be considered as targets for nuclear attacks.

Furthermore, as the memory of the atomic bombs becomes weaker throughout the world, we are continually holding exhibitions of the atomic bomb in 101 cities throughout America, conducting lectures on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at universities throughout Japan and internationally, and working to share the experiences of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki throughout the world.

The 21st century is the time for the world's issues to be resolved by citizens themselves. In that meaning, we feel that the undertaking of the “Global Voyage for a Nuclear-Free World – Peace Boat Hibakusha Project” is a highly meaningful project, and we pay great respects to the organisation of such a project. We look forward to working together in the future also, taking action towards the realisation of the abolition of nuclear weapons and permanent peace for the world.

Finally, we hope for the success of the “Global Voyage for a Nuclear-Free World – Peace Boat Hibakusha Project”, and for the health and happiness of all participants.
AKIBA Tadatoshi (Mayor of Hiroshima)

 

Please accept my greetings for the departure of the “Global Voyage for a Nuclear-Free World”, coordinated by international NGO Peace Boat. The citizens of Nagasaki, who 63 years ago suffered the tragedy of atomic bombings as never seen by humankind, have been persistently fighting to ensure through the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realisation of world peace that such a mistake is never allowed to happen again. However, our world is now put in danger through conflicts and violence, and rather than progressing towards the abolition of nuclear weapons, instead some countries are newly obtaining nuclear weapons, and the general nuclear situation faced by the world today is growing worse and worse.

Within such circumstances, the Hibakusha sharing their experiences and the terror of nuclear weapons directly with people throughout the world is of the utmost importance, and I believe that it is such hardworking efforts as these that will really be able to serve as the momentum to change international public opinion. I hope that all of the participants of this voyage, in the 22 ports visited throughout their journey, will deepen understanding and exchange with local people, and join us to lead actions for a peaceful future, free of nuclear weapons.

We hope that all the participants take care of their health during the long voyage, and enjoy this precious opportunity. Finally, we would like to pay our respects to the international NGO Peace Boat, who is organising this “Global Voyage for a Nuclear-Free World – Peace Boat Hibakusha Project” for their efforts towards peace over many years.

We hope for the success of this project, and the health of all participants.
TAUE Tomihisa (Mayor of Nagasaki)

I am very happy to endorse this Global Voyage for a Nuclear-Free World – Peace Boat Hibakusha Project. I send my very best wishes to everyone involved in this wonderful and important project to remind the World of the importance of abolishing all Nuclear weapons in our world today.

I especially send my greetings and thanks to the 100 Hibakusha who are participating int his global Voyage to remind the world of its moral and legal and human responsibility to demand their Governments Abolish these suicidal/genocidal weapons of destruction.
Mairead Maguire (Peace People, 1976 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate)

 

I deeply admire the courage of the 100 Hibakusha (Atomic Bomb Survivors) of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as they embark on an historic global tour on the Peace Boat to bring their message of the horrific impact and power of nuclear weapons to the world. No one should ever have to experience again what they have lived through. The time is right. The time is now. No to nuclear weapons and no to nuclear power, which can lead to nuclear weapons. Thank you, Hibakusha. Thank you, Peace Boat.
Jody Williams (International Campaign to Ban Land Mines (ICBL), 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate)



"This unprecedented Hibakusha project will provide a sense of global history that is crucial for achieving peace. By raising awareness on the impact of war and nuclear weapons, this historic project will advocate for nuclear disarmament and for a global shift from military power to the promotion of human security and development."
Colin Archer, International Peace Bureau



"I have always viewed the Hibakusha as the Ambassadors of the Nuclear Age.  They were there at the beginning and observed and suffered the effects of the world's initial atomic destruction of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  Their testimony has the potential to awaken people throughout the world to the need to end the nuclear weapons era by abolishing these weapons of omnicide, capable of the destruction of all.  This wonderful project, initiated by Peace Boat on its 25th anniversary, will raise the profile of the Hibakusha throughout the world, and it will expand the range of their voices.  It is a project of hope, which the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation wholeheartedly supports."
David Krieger, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation

Organisations/groups

• 2020 Vision Campaign of Mayors for Peace
  
  
• Abolition 2000 NY Metro
  
  
• Blessed Are the Peacemakers/Italian Disarmament Network
  
  
• City of Hiroshima
  
  
• City of Nagasaki
  
  
• Funkist
  
  
• Global Article 9 Campaign
  
  
• Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation
  
  
• International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) Australia
  
  
• International Peace Bureau
  
  
• International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW)
  
  
• Japan Confederation of Atomic and Hydrogen Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hidankyo)
  
  
• Japanese for Peace (Australia)
  
  
• KAIROS BC-Yukon (Canada)
  
  
• Nagasaki Foundation for the Promotion of Peace
  
  
• Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
  
  
• The Peace Foundation (Aotearoa-New Zealand)
  
  
• Peace Foundation Disarmament and Security Centre (Aotearoa-New Zealand)
  
  
• Permanent Peace Movement (Lebanon)
  
  
• Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (South Asia)
  
  
• Science for Peace (Canada)
  
  

Individuals

• AKIBA Tadatoshi (Mayor of Hiroshima)
• AMANO Fumiko (Hibakusha, former kindergarten principal)
• FUNKIST (Musician)
• Bruce GAGNON (Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space)
• Neshan GUNASAKERA (International Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms (IALANA) South Asia Office)
• HIDA Shuntaro (Physician treating Hibakusha of Hiroshima)
• HIRAOKA Takashi (Former Mayor of Hiroshima)
• INOUE Hisashi (Author and playwright)
• KAMANAKA Hitomi (Film director)
• KAMATA Satoshi (Investigative reporter)
• KOKONTEI Kikuchiyo (Rakugo performer)
• Steve LEEPER (Chair, Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation)
• MAEDA Tetsuo (Journalist)
• Mairead Corrigan MAGUIRE (Peace People, 1976 Nobel Peace Laureate)
• MUTO Tori (Mathematician)
• ONO Kazuyuki (Journalist)
• Sukla SEN (Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace, India)
• SHINAGAWA Masaji (Chair, International Development Center of Japan, Japan Association of Corporate Executives)
• TAKAGI Saya (Actor)
• TAKATO Nahoko (Iraq aid volunteer)
• TAUE Tomihisa (Mayor of Nagasaki)
• TSUCHIYAMA Hideo (Former President, Nagasaki University)
• TSUJI Shinichi / Keibo OIWA (Founder, NGO “Sloth Club”)
• UMEBAYASHI Hiromichi (Special Advisor, Peace Depot)
• Alyn WARE (Parliamentary Network for Nuclear Disarmament, PNND)
• H.E. Judge CG WEERAMANTRY (Former Vice President, International Court of Justice)
• Jody WILLIAMS (International Campaign to Ban Land Mines (ICBL), 1997 Nobel Peace Laureate)
• YOSHINAGA Sayuri (Actor)
• YOSHITAKE Teruko (Author)