Enhancing Mayors for Peace Activities
Visit to Marshall Islands
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Mr. Yasuyoshi Komizo, the Secretary-General of Mayors for Peace, and chairperson of this Foundation, attended the official ceremony of Nuclear Victims' Remembrance Day (commonly known as Bikini Day) held in the Republic of Marshall Islands' capital Majuro City on March 1, 2014.
He attended on behalf of Hiroshima Mayor Matsui.
Sixty years have passed since the hydrogen bomb tests conducted by the United States in Bikini Atoll on March 1, 1954.
Mr. Komizo attended the official Bikini Day ceremony and related events, where he communicated the message of Hiroshima calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons and lasting world peace.
He also met with local people who are involved in peace activities.
Mr. Komizo's main activities are described below.
February 27
Mr. Komizo paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Christopher Loeak, President of the Republic of Marshall Islands.
He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to give a speech at the Bikini Day official ceremony, and handed him a letter from Mayor Matsui.
President Loeak thanked Mr. Komizo for participating in the ceremony, and spoke of the importance of communicating the damage of nuclear weapons to the young generations and to the world.
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Courtesy visit to President Loeak
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February 28
Mr. Komizo listened to a dialogue between Mr. Matashichi Oishi, a surviving crew member from Daigo Fukury Maru, the Japanese tuna fishing vessel that experienced the US hydrogen bombing on the Bikini Atoll, and residents of the Marshall Islands who survived the bombing on Rongelap Atoll.
March 1
Mr. Komizo gave a speech at the Nuclear Victims' Remembrance Day official ceremony.
He stated that we should solemnly share the noble and powerful message of the survivors, and that from a humanitarian perspective we cannot allow nuclear weapons to be used ever again.
He also expressed his determination to make all efforts to ensure that there are never again any hibakusha anywhere in the world.
The MC at the ceremony also read out a message from Mayor Matsui.
March 2
Mr. Komizo gave a lecture on achieving a world free of nuclear weapons at a workshop for young people about the Global Hibakusha Project, which calls for solidarity to abolish nuclear weapons by showing images of the world's hibakusha testimonies on the Internet.
He also visited Majuro Peace Park and the Eastern Pacific Memorial to the Victims of War, which were constructed by the Japanese government to pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in World War II, and for lasting world peace.
March 3
Mr. Komizo listened to the testimony of Mr. Jeban Riklon, a member of the national parliament who was 2 years old when he experienced the bombing at Rongelap Atoll.
He then had a discussion with Mr. Riklon, and requested that Kwajalein Atoll become a member of Mayors for Peace.
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| (Peace and International Solidarity Promotion Division) |
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