On November 17, 2013, 34 events related to international exchange and international cooperation were held at International Conference Center Hiroshima, the green strip on Peace Boulevard and other venues.
This year marked the 13th time that this event has been held.
Hiroshima Mayor Matsui made a speech prior to the opening of Earth Stage, and there were other events on the outdoor stage.
A total of around 8,000 people attended the event.
Participants enjoyed themselves as they learned about international exchange and cooperation.
☆ Chikyu no Stage 4: Roaming and the Future After Disaster (with English subtitles)
This year once again Mr. Norihiko Kuwayama (psychosomatic medical practitioner with a clinic in Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture), who is involved in international medical aid activities, was our guide.
He gave a talk and live performance, and spoke about various incidents occurring in Japan and throughout the world, using large-scale images.
Mr. Kuwayama uses music in his interaction with children from the regions affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and as a result they open up to him and talk about their wishes for the future.
The sight of them doing so communicates the tragedy of the massive damage inflicted by the earthquake, as well as the precious courage of people to overcome such tragedy and positively move on with their lives.
The current state of the affected areas was also shown, including the emotional support activities being implemented by Mr. Kuwayama together with the children of Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture, and the initiatives of the members of Yuriage Junior High School who have moved on from their sorrow and taken the initial step forward.
The audience was deeply moved by Mr. Kuwayama's message, with many in tears.
☆ Talk Session: "I've got to do something! Project"
A talk session was held for the "I've got to do something! Project", through which Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and other organizations are promoting the importance of international cooperation activities nationwide.
In line with the concept of "Sports and International Cooperation", well-known sports figures and Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers were invited to the session.
The MC for the event was Ms. Mizuho Nishina, an announcer on Hiroshima TV, and participating in the session were Mr. Tsuyoshi Kitazawa, former member of the Japan national soccer team, Ms. Tomoko Hagiwara, who represented Japan in swimming at the Sydney Olympics, and Mr. Naohiko Tsutsumi, manager of the Okayama Sanyo Baseball Club.
They recounted anecdotes as they spoke about their tips for cross-cultural communication.
There was also a quiz with prizes, and the event was a big hit with the audience.
☆ Joseon Missions to Japan Forum: Aiming for Bilateral UNESCO Registration
At the Joseon Missions to Japan Forum, there were four presentations given:
from a professor from Korea's Busan University, a professor from Hiroshima University Graduate School, the Secretary-General of the Liaison Council of towns associated with Joseon missions to Japan, and the Chairman and Inspector General of the Korean Residents Union in Japan.
The audience listened intently to the presentations, which each clearly expressed the different positions of the respective presenters, and gained an understanding of current activities to obtain bilateral UNESCO registration for the Joseon Missions to Japan.
The Forum was reported in newspapers and other media, and was an opportunity for Hiroshima citizens to learn about the Joseon Missions to Japan.
An event related to the Joseon Missions to Japan was also held on the outdoor stage, and enjoyed by many people.
☆ World Kitchen and International Craft Bazaar
The Hiroshima International Village - World Kitchen was set up on the green strip on Peace Boulevard on the south side of the International Conference Center, and fifteen organizations sold various foods from around the world.
At the International Craft Bazaar, fourteen organizations sold a variety of traditional crafts with a strong international flavor.
Both events were bustling with visitors.
Proceeds will be used in international cooperation activities run by the participating organizations.
☆ International Exchange and Cooperation Activities
A total of nineteen organizations, including civic groups, universities and companies, set up booths to explain their respective initiatives in the field of international exchange and cooperation.
Visitors commented that they did not realize that there were so many international exchange and cooperation organizations in Hiroshima.
☆ Introduction and Experience of Traditional Japanese Culture
A popular event with non-Japanese visitors every year, this year once again there were sections for visitors to try on kimonos and experience tea ceremony, ikebana flower arrangement and hand-drawn Yuzen dyeing.
The event provided an opportunity for non-Japanese visitors to
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experience Japanese culture, and for Japanese visitors to reacquaint themselves with the wonderful elements of their own culture.
There was also a quiz rally, where participants could win a present by going around and answering questions at the various event venues, a kids' section for families to play together, a legal consultation section for foreign residents, and an event to support children in developing nations by donating keyboard harmonicas and coins from all over the world.
All sections were very popular with the visitors.
The students who participated as volunteers also seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves.
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The section on Thai carving, a Thai cultural tradition, where visitors could try carving flowers or other motifs into vegetables and fruit
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