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Assuming the position of Chairperson of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation as from April 1, 2013, I am humbled and keenly feel immense responsibility to advance the message of Hiroshima, a center of boundless humanitarian inspiration for peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons.
The message of Hiroshima that "no-one should ever again suffer such a tragedy" is a humanitarian message born from deep down in the souls of the Hibakusha that went through unbearable horror and suffering.
This is an important message the people of the world should solemnly share and should carry forward onto the future.
My main focus is on how best and how accurately to communicate this precious message to the world and to the future generations.
For this purpose, I am continuing in-depth dialogues with A-bomb survivors and others involved in peace activities.
Treasuring the foundations built through the untiring efforts and perseverance of those who came before us, I would like to add value to these accumulated efforts by accelerating new waves of anti-nuclear momentum.
Some of our challenges are clear.
The Hibakusha's appeal for the abolition of nuclear weapons, born from their unspeakable sufferings, reaches out with a powerful impact that transcends mere logic.
Our most pressing task is to find ways to pass on that powerful message to future generations.
To achieve this will require a new approach that involves younger generation's own senses, aspirations and visions.
It will also be important to communicate this humanitarian message creatively using various modes of expression, including image media, literature, paintings and music.
And, in this endeavor, we need to ascertain whether or not such new initiatives are aligned with the earnest wishes of the A-bomb survivors.
It is crucial that we carefully go through a process where we introduce new initiatives to the aging Hibakushas and ask for their views and judgments on them.
The next several years will be the key period.
The year 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing and 2020 is the target year for the 2020 Campaign.
The process of accumulating efforts we make toward these target dates will be vitally important period for the invaluable message of Hibakusha to be carried forward long into the future generations.
I intend to work together as much as possible with wide variety of like-minded people with different approaches and thinking, to make sure that this process is inclusive and robust.
I would like to add that a one-way message sent out by Japanese people will not be adequate to communicate the thoughts of the survivors to the people of the world.
Mayor Matsui uses the expression "inviting peace".
What this refers to is "good people" from all over the world
(in other words people who love the society to which they belong, who understand its culture, history and challenges, and who work to improve their society)
coming to Hiroshima, gaining a deep understanding of the truth of the atomic bomb's damage and the spirit of Hiroshima, and then going back and communicating the message of Hiroshima in a language that the people of their country understand.
This will lead to the development of a new route that goes directly to the hearts of the people of the world, one that breaks through national borders and unfortunate historical events.
I am determined to establish such a mechanism by 2015, the 70th anniversary of the bombing.
The crucial point for us will be how to create a concrete process for the abolition of nuclear weapons, based on the earnest message of the A-bomb survivors.
To address this, I would like to further expand and enhance the Mayors for Peace network.
Additionally, to develop broad-based public momentum for the abolition of nuclear weapons, it will be important to outreach into every corner of civil society from our network.
Our interactions with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Red Cross Society in each country, and NGOs such as IPPNW and ICAN, as well as with people and organizations in other fields such as culture, the arts and sports, are crucial.
I aim to cultivate such networks to implement concrete measures such as promoting awareness on the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons and campaigning for a nuclear weapons convention.
I look forward to work together with you in this endeavor.
Your support is invaluable.
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