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On 5 May 2025 a Children’s Day event was held in Osaka Expo ’70 Commemorative Park. Organized by the Global Cultural Symbol ‘Koinobori (carp streamer)’ Project, the event was held together with children to raise ‘Koinobori’ for children. In addition to making and hoisting the carp streamers, the event included the ringing of the UN Peace Bell, dragon flute performance, dragon dance, calligraphy, soap bubbles and much more.

After opening remarks by Dr Nakamura Tetsu, representative of the Japanese Culture Education Society, and Takase Seiko, representative of the Association for the Preservation of UN Peace Bell, the activities began. The event was called to action by student volunteers and Mr. and Mrs. Taniyama, Director of the Association, and the general participation of parents and children exceeded 200 people. Colorful carp streamers danced in the clear sky and many children gathered in the park to make handmade mini carp streamers. Small UN peace bell was rung and soap bubbles were blown, a scene befitting Children’s Day.

There are more than 50 countries and regions in the world today that are still in conflict. On Children’s Day, we wished that the whole world would become a planet filled with children’s smiles and laughter.

　　　　　　

 

 

A jogging event was held on 24 April 2025 to commemorate “the International Day on Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace”, led by Ms Maher Nasser,UN Pavilion Representative.

Many officials, including representatives of the overseas pavilions of various countries and the Expo Association, took part in the event and jogged from 7am on the Great Roof Ring. The event was signalled to start by the sound of the Peace Bell, rung by a representative of the Expo Association. Ms Ichikawa of the UN Pavilion contacted to tell us that the event had started impressively with the sound of the peace symbol.

The UN Pavilion receives more than 1,500 visitors every day, and the Peace Bell is also very popular, with many people ringing it in hope for peace.

 

(Photo courtesy of the UN Pavilion.)

　　　

On 19 April 2025, “the Earth Day Tokyo 2025 Opening Ceremony” and “Hello Earth Stage” organised by Earth Day Tokyo was held at the Yoyogi Park Event Square Outdoor Stage.

The event started with chorus and Hawaiian music by members of the Inamori Art Project Group. It was followed by reports on the activities of Hattori Michiko, Director of the NPO “World Hibakusha Exhibition”, and Endo Ryokyu of “Light of Hope”. Finally, Ms Takase, representative of the Association spoke about the UN Peace Bell and rang the 1 kg Peace Bell she had brought with her. All participants observed a moment of silence and prayed for peace.

The stage event went smoothly with fluent MC’s Hatta Kentaro and Bo Rika. It was a beautiful Earth Day, blessed with good weather.

　

 

On 13 April 2025, the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan was opened and many people visited the United Nations Pavilion.

On the first day of the Expo, many visitors rang the bell to pray for world peace.

Everyone was moved by the beauty of the sound of the bells. We were happy to hear that actress Minami Kaho also visited the museum and rang the bell. The pamphlets placed next to the bell were also very well received.

Please stop by the UN Pavilion and ring the bell!

　　

On 5 April 2025, Representative Takase Seiko, Director Taniyama Masaaki and Director Takai Michio went to deliver a 4 kg replica of the UN Peace Bell to be displayed at the UN Pavilion.

 At the UN Pavilion, they were welcomed by Mr Maher Nasser, UN Assistant Secretary-General, and Ms Ichikawa Naomi, Mr Urano Shota and Mr Gu Young-Chang, who are in charge of the UN Pabilion, despite their busy schedules. The bell was organised and cast by students of Uwajima Higashi High School in Ehime and placed on the counter at the entrance of the UN Pavilion. The students plan to make a presentation about the Peace Bell at the UN Pavilion in July.

Please stop at the UN Pavilion and ring the bell when you visit the Expo.

　　　　

　　

On 30 March 2025, the Japan Confederation of “A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organisations Nobel Peace Prize Celebration Parade” took place in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. Organised by Earth Day Tokyo, the parade was a 2 km march from in front of the United Nations University through Omotesando to Yoyogi Park. Among the participants were Hattori Michiko, an A-bomb survivor from Hiroshima, and others from Nagasaki. Groups related to peace and nuclear abolition activities also took part, and those who had difficulty walking rode on buses and sang, danced and dressed up to convey their own messages to the parade. A total of about 200 people took part.

At the start of the parade, the Representative Director Takase rang a 4 kg UN peace bell, and the participants carried a 1 kg peace bell, which they rang at each milestone in the parade.