Table Talk Session at ‘Salon: Konoyubi tomare’
On 8 October 2025, I gave a table talk about the ‘the Association for the Preservation of the UN Peace Bell’ at the ‘Community Interaction Salon: Konoyubi tomare’, represented by Ms Kobayashi Makiko.
The salon holds monthly sessions with around 20 participants, engaging in study groups and other activities. This talk came about through an introduction by Ms Nakajima Shizuko, a member of the Association.
The attendees were so enthusiastic that the session ran well over the scheduled hour, with some sharp questions directed at the United Nations. Finally, everyone took turns ringing the 4kg Peace Bell I had brought, praying for world peace. It was a wonderful salon to be invited to, and a truly happy time. I also received many coins from them.
Report on Participation in the 36th World Federalist Japan Convention in Tokyo 2025
On 5 October 2025, the 36th World Federalist Japan Convention in Tokyo 2025, organised by our association’s advisor, Mr Kido Hirotaka, was held. Representing our association were Representative director Takase, Director Tomari, Director Kasuga, Director Kumon, and Director Katsura.
The conference centred on the theme ‘Global Governance in the Trump Era’, featuring a keynote address by Mr Sugiyama Shinsuke, who served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States during President Trump’s first term. Mr Sugiyama characterised Mr Trump as a ‘leader of intense personality’, analysing his emergence as a result of structural changes within US society and the international community – a phenomenon born of ‘backlash against the established establishment’.
He further suggested that should Mr Trump return to power, freed from the need to seek re-election, he would likely pursue policies with even greater boldness and speed. This potential shift, he explained, stems from fundamental reassessments of the three pillars of the post-war international order: the Yalta system (security), the GATT/WTO system (multilateral free trade), and the “Bretton Woods system (development aid)”. This underscored that the international order is at a major turning point.
The conference also featured a video message from former Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, serving as a stark reminder of the reality that the world is currently embroiled in conflict.
Attending the Bell-Ring Ceremony for Peace Across Japan on International Peace Day
On 21 September 2025, the bell-ring ceremony organized by the Japan Committee for the International Peace Day was held at the head temple Gokokuji temple. Kasuga Shizuko, Director of the Association, attended as a representative of Takase.
Following an address by the Head Priest, Sekimoto Ryuunin, in the main hall, attendees moved to the bell tower for the bell ringing and a moment of silent prayer.
Returning to the Gekkō-den Hall, addresses were given by Governor Koike Yuriko and other guests, followed by a reception where Director Kasuga also addressed the gathering. Tomari Mitsuo, Director of the Association and representative of the Japan Cultural Exchange Research Association, was also in attendance.
It was a very solemn bell-ringing ceremony.
The UN Peace Bell-Ringing Ceremony at Taihei-ji Temple
On 21 September 2025, International Peace Day, The UN Peace bell-ringing ceremony took place at Taihei-ji Temple in Uwajima, the hometown of Nakagawa Chiyoji.
The bell at Taihei-ji Temple was cast in 1951 and donated to the temple by Chiyoji. Upon returning from the war, he was deeply distressed to find the temple’s bell had been surrendered for the war effort, leaving the bell tower empty. Determined that war must never occur again, he cast the bell using coins from 26 countries around the world and his own military sword.
Approximately 30 attendees, including Chief Priest Hoshino Ryushin, Director Ōno Jirō of the Association, temple representatives, and members of the women’s association, participated in the ceremony. All rang the Peace Bell, sending a message of world peace from Uwajima. NHK conducted coverage of the event.
Osaka Expo ’70 Commemorative Park: Peace Bell Cleaning and Ringing
On 21 September 2025, International Day of Peace, we cleaned and rang the UN Peace Bell located in Osaka Expo ’70 Commemorative Park.
Director Taniyama’s family and member Amatsu Noriko participated, thoroughly cleaning the Peace Bell with a dry cloth, tidying the area inside the fence, and removing weeds. Afterwards, everyone rang the bell together, sending a message of peace from Expo Memorial Park.
Ms Hata Yuka, a staff member of the Office of Osaka Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, kindly attended and rang the bell for us.
Additionally, some visitors to the park asked questions about the bell, and others also rang it.
Attending the Ringing Ceremony of the UN Peace Bell
On 12 September, 2025, Representative Takase and Director Katsura attended the “Ringing Ceremony of the UN Peace Bell” held at UN Headquarters.
Secretary-General Guterres appealed, “Civilians are suffering in the wars between Israel and Palestine, and Ukraine and Russia. We must act now for a peaceful world.” Secretary-General Guterres and Representative Takase joined hands, walked together to the Peace Bell, and rang it together. In response to media questions, Takase stated, “I hope the 80th year since the war’s end will be a good one, but the world doesn’t seem to be heading that way. I think it would be good if we could consider peace not from the standpoint of each country, but from the standpoint of each individual. I especially hope for a world where all children can smile.”
The previous day, She was invited to and attended a dinner reception at the official residence of Ambassador Yamasaki of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the UN. It had been a year since she last met the Mrs. Yamazaki, and they enjoyed such pleasant conversation that they lost track of time.
(Some photos: Provided by the Permanent Mission of Japan)
