Clear blue autumn sky refreshes you for a new start of a day.
At a long and busy day end, the moon in the night sky you admire induces you into deep thought of your life—you find yourself thinking like a philosopher.
In an urban life, this has long been a rare occasion, but when you look upon the countless stars in the night sky, you will be struck by the endless expanse and mystery of the vast universe in an embrace of boundless space.
The unimaginable expanse of sky you see in your naked eyes is, however, only a small segment of the universe.
Some scholars say that life can exist in countless planets in this vast universe.
Others say only the earth holds life exceptionally without any other cases.
Either way, it is clear that, on this planet earth, we are alive together.
Let us cherish this irreplaceable life.
Let us cherish the celestial body called Earth that supports precious life including our own.
And, it does not matter whether the universe is finite or infinite, what matters is that, in this unimaginable expanse of time and space, we're born at the same time frame in the same planet.
Isn't it a wonder?
We are then sharing a very significant fate together.
Differences in culture, religion, skin color, and national boarders are just a trivial difference in comparison to the great commonality that we all belong to the same humanity.
If so, shall we not nurture a shared awareness that we all belong to the same human family?
Such a common understanding can provide us with a sound basis to appreciate diversity as an indispensable value that enriches human life and also gives us greater incentive to settle disputes by peaceful means with courage, creativity and perseverance.
Mr. Shigeyoshi Kawakatsu has edited this book
"Hiroshima to the younger generation: young life that has been cut off to the future in the atomic bomb appeal"
(Japanese English bilingual version),
as his earnest message of peace to you, youthful friends, who are about to create a new phase of the world in your own vision, initiatives and efforts.
This is a message with a heartfelt prayer that you who shoulder the next generation are able to build the future world in a vision that you and others all develop their unique value and potentiality in full with mutual respect, the world you all honestly feel that you belong to, with pride, satisfaction and compassion.
This book contains "A-bomb drawings" by surviving Hibakusha and their own short descriptions of the scenes in the drawings and the documents, also those of the witnesses on the day and thereafter in Hiroshima.
Hibakusha who were exposed to the atomic bomb and barely survived drew and wrote these drawings and documents based on their own experiences.
These drawings and documents depict what actually happened.
It is, however, painful to watch and to read.
Most of the victims were civilians.
Not only that, the great majority were women, children and the elderly.
For example, male and female students of junior high school ranging from 12 to 14 years old were mobilized to create firebreaks for the purpose of preventing the spread of fire by air raids.
At the time of the atomic bombing, 8:15 a.m. on 6 August 1945, more than seven thousand junior high students were doing this work in the vicinity of ground zero.
Of these, more than 6,000 died.
They must have had their own dreams for the future.
Including them, around 140,000 people died of atomic bomb in Hiroshima by the year-end.
Some may ask,
"If the intention is for the sake of better future, is there really a need to show the cruel tragedy of 70 long years ago?"
We say "yes" because such cruelty actually happened in our history, during the armed conflicts among countries.
When we forget the past, grave mistakes may be repeated.
We shall prevent them for the brighter future.
And, even now nearly 16,000 nuclear weapons still exist, and as long as they exist, there are risks of them being used by accident or miscalculation if not by intention.
Human beings have unlimited potentiality.
At the same time, it is sad to say but, in certain circumstances, human beings have also shown their capacity to commit cruel deeds beyond imagination.
That's why, Mr. Kawakatsu compiled this book in his earnest expectation that young readers can learn the important lessons from the past.
And he wishes that, with lessons learnt, youthful future leaders will create a brighter future where everyone respects each other, everyone is proud of being part of it and each one develops and enjoys their full potentiality and contributes to society in their own way so that future generations can live a life worth living as a human being.
Hibakusha of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have continued to tell the world their indescribably painful experiences of the atomic bombings in their genuine desire that "no one shall ever again suffer as we have."
They have warned the world and, in particular, future generations of the dangers and inhumanity of nuclear weapons in order to avoid the repetition of their unspeakable misery.
Their commitment is genuine and what they appeal is not a message of revenge but a profound unifying call to all the people in the world.
They developed this truly humanitarian message through their unbearable sufferings.
They are saying that every person without distinction has a right to live a good life.
The future is in your own hands.
Aging Hibakusha, Mr. Kawakatsu and I, myself, belong to an older generation.
And therefore we may not be able to fully understand younger generations' challenges, priorities and aspirations.
That is why we are so anxious at least to convey to you a very important message our generation can give you.
If you, leaders of next generations, can accept our offer and appreciate the message of Hibakusha, we will be so happy.
For we know that a person who has a capacity to understand, with compassion, the deep struggle, misery and genuine aspirations of others can be trusted.
We can have a high expectation of a bright future that such people—with their warm hearts, broad minds and courage—can jointly create.
I therefore recommend this book that Mr. Kawakatsu has compiled, with a sincere desire for peace.
I recommend this book also with my own sincere prayer that you, young readers of this book, will build the shining future through your own vision, untiring efforts, ingenuity and undefeatable courage.
We sincerely wish you good health, happiness and fulfilment of your precious life.
Yasuyoshi Komizo
Chairman,
Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation
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