My name is Takehiro Kagawa, and I am pleased to announce that I have succeeded Mr. Takashi Koizumi as Chairperson of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation. With its origins in the wishes of the A-bombed city of Hiroshima, the Foundation is engaged in various activities in Japan and abroad to carry on Hiroshima's legacy and promote peace in the world. It is a great honor for me to assume the important responsibility of Chairperson of this Foundation. I will make my utmost efforts to contribute to its further development with the help of the many people supporting the Foundation and its activities.

　Thanks to the dedicated efforts of many predecessors and concerned individuals who have supported and nurtured the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, the Foundation has achieved results in various campaigns for nuclear abolition, as well as in activities to convey the thoughts and feelings of the hibakusha to the world. Among them is the 40-year-old international NGO, Mayors for Peace, which is now a major organization with more than 8,000 member cities around the world. In addition, in 2021, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which is the wish of Hiroshima and has extremely great historical significance, entered into force. The Peace Culture Foundation has also made efforts to support the Treaty at the civic level. Mayor Matsui, President of Mayors for Peace and its then Secretary General, former Chairperson Koizumi participated in the First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty held last year, and they actively contributed to various events in the meeting. I would also like to contribute to the promotion and development of such Foundation's activities and youth exchange, in pursuit of peace without nuclear weapons.

　Having served 40 years as a diplomat, I have understood how important peace is and how crucial it is to make concrete efforts to achieve it. When I served in the Middle East, I was involved in peace-building efforts to the aftermath of the Iraq War and other conflicts and saw firsthand the devastation of war-torn cities and the plight of the civilian population. I was also involved in formulating and coordinating some peace-building projects on the ground. With regard to nuclear issues, amidst the international community's growing concern over Iran's nuclear program, which has had a major impact on peace and stability in the Middle East region as a whole, I have been involved in diplomacy with Iran and the United Nations.

　With regard to my connection with Hiroshima, when I was the Ambassador of Japan to Egypt, Hiroshima University President, Dr. Ochi and his delegation visited Egypt and held exchange activities with several cities and universities. I also recall how impressed I was by the President's words about Hiroshima's mission and the people's determination in Hiroshima to communicate peace to the world. Since then, I have spoken to influential Egyptian friends about the efforts of Hiroshima and appealed to universities and other educational institutions to introduce peace education to the younger generation, having the belief that peace education is particularly important in the Middle East where warfare and conflict continue. I asked Hiroshima University to offer a course in peace studies at an Egyptian university, and we were able to make it happen. I myself visited Hiroshima twice from Egypt, and also visited Mayor Matsui and Hiroshima University. On those occasions, I went to the cenotaph and offered flowers as well as my thoughts from Egypt. I will try to promote collaboration down the road with other universities and research institute, including Hiroshima City University.

　Looking at the current international situation, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last February, a serious humanitarian crisis involving civilians has been prolonged, and the risk of the use of nuclear weapons is said to be the highest in the post-Cold War world. Despite the positive signs of the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, we must recognize that the situation regarding the abolition of nuclear weapons has become even more difficult. Nuclear disarmament by the nuclear weapon states has made no progress, and nuclear proliferation is a serious concern. However, no matter how difficult it may be to achieve the abolition of nuclear weapons, we must never give up on this goal. I am convinced that the power of solidarity and the mobilization of the voices of civil society are now more important than ever before. In that light, the role of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation and the solidarity of the members of Mayors for Peace are becoming increasingly important.

　In 2021, Mayors for Peace Executive Conference adopted the PX Vision , Vision for Peaceful Transformation to a Sustainable World, in which abolition of nuclear weapons, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and culture of peace are regarded as common goals. In order to achieve those goals, a wide range of undertakings and activities supported by many relevant groups and people are needed.

　Since this is my first time to work in Hiroshima, please help me and work together for the better future of Hiroshima and for prevailing peace in the world.

(February 1, 2023)