To mark the 80^th anniversary of the atomic bombing, the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation launched a peace education program for youth in collaboration with local governments across the country. That program received tremendous support from the hibakusha who shared their testimonies.
To express our gratitude for their lifetime contributions and to provide an opportunity to discuss our future initiatives, we held a "Dialogue with Hibakusha" on December 15, 2025, during which we presented Certificates of Appreciation. The ceremony took place at the International Conference Center Hiroshima.
Kazumi Matsui, Mayor of Hiroshima and President of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, began by expressing his gratitude for recent progress in promoting peace education among children across the nation. Following his remarks, a Certificate of Appreciation and a Peace Ticking Clock (a table clock made of wood from an atomic-bombed tree) were presented to Yoshiko Kajimoto, who accepted them on behalf of the hibakusha.
Among the various initiatives undertaken to commemorate the 80^th anniversary of the atomic bombing, a video highlighting the "Hiroshima Peace Studies Promotion Program" was screened, providing an opportunity to reflect once again on the contributions of hibakusha.
Next, we heard four participating hibakusha (Teruko Yahata, Fumiaki Kajiya, Kiyomi Kono, and Shunichiro Arai) share their thoughts on "how to pass the baton to future generations as the City of Hiroshima, the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, and groups of young people continue to convey the facts of the atomic bombing and promote peace."
Toward the end of the event, messages for the hibakusha received from a wide range of people were read aloud. These touching messages brought home how deeply hibakusha testimonies resonate with the children who hear them.

• "They explained things I didn't know in a simple, easy-to-understand way. They brought to life the things that happened back then. That helped me think about what I should do, and that's what left the deepest impression on me." (Student who participated in the 1^st Japan Children's Peace Studies Gathering)
• "With recent advances in digital technology, people easily select the content they want to see and skip over parts they don't need. Against this backdrop, listening to vivid accounts of death, bones, sores, burns, screams, and walking over corpses has a profound impact on children. They never hear such stories in their daily lives. These experiences serve as catalysts for sharing the stories with people close to them." (Chaperone of the 1^st Japan Children's Peace Studies Gathering)
• "I felt the hibakusha entrusting their painful memories to us, and it was a moment when I realized that it was up to my generation to pass them on to the next." "From now on, I intend to cherish life and live with respect and compassion for everyone." (Youth Peace Volunteer English Guide)
• "I actually came to appreciate the fact that nuclear weapons and war take away countless people's happiness and even their lives. I thought it was important to think about how to avoid repeating such mistakes in the future." (A student who attended a lecture on the atomic bombing experience)
• "I'm a senior in high school and plan to move out of the prefecture next year. I've come to feel that, as someone from Hiroshima, I should be able to speak effectively about the atomic bombing when I'm in college. I hope you stay healthy and continue your work." (A student who attended a lecture on the atomic bombing experience)

Finally, Mayor Matsui and Chairperson Takehiro Kagawa visited each table and, in the course of pleasant conversation, once again expressed their gratitude.
Messages of peace from hibakusha were also on display at the venue.
"How wonderful it is to live in a world without war. I entrust this peaceful Japan to you."
"Peace comes from a heart filled with love. When we get to know others, show compassion, and put ourselves in their shoes, smiles come naturally. I want you to know and understand just how terrifying and tragic nuclear weapons are. Please tell those who don’t know. I pray that nuclear weapons will be completely eliminated so everyone can live a safe, secure and happy life."
"Human survival and extinction. Let's use our imagination to think about these possibilities."
"Let's eliminate nuclear weapons from the Earth through the ideas of young people. It could be anything—music, art, sports, whatever. Please help spread the messages of hibakusha."
The Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation will continue its efforts to share these messages far and wide. We will work hand in hand with hibakusha and everyone concerned.