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On October 4, 2019, we had an opportunity to give a talk at Showa Gakuen, which is located in Nakano Ward, Tokyo. Showa Gakuen is a school to provide special support for young people who suffer from developmental disorder or some kind of weakness. The primary objective of the school is to nurter good aspects and power to live in order for them to enjoy youth. Everyone listened to the talk for an hour eagerly, asked questions and/or expressed opinion. They rang the Peace Bell and seemed to be impressed with the wonderful sound of the Peace Bell. The headmaster of the Showa Gakuen said to Seiko Takase “Do you know why students listened to your talk very eagerly? That is because they understtod your message.” She was very pleased to hear that comment.

On January 18, 2020, we had opportunity to give a talk at Minami Tsurumaki Elementary School, the same area where the office of our association is located. There were two sessions. The first session was for about 80 parents, and the second session was for 530 children. It was a snow-falling cold day, but both parents and children eagerly listened to the talk. All of thep arents rang the Peace Bell. Because of limited time, not all of the children rang the Peace Bell.

On December 5, 2019, Seiko Takase gave a talk at Uwajima City Municipa Mimaki Elementary School, Takao Seike the headmaster, in the morning, and Uwajima City Municipal Yusu Elementary School, Keijo Ueda the headmaster, in the afternoon. It is said that there were many school boys and girls in the past, but these days the number of children has been decreasing because of depopulation and declining birthrate. School boys and girls, however, were full of vigor and eagerly linstened to Takase’s talk on the Peace Bell. It was a pleasant surprise for her to see all children expressed impression and/or asked questions. School headmaster and teachers watched the boys and girls with warm smile and the classroom looked shining to Takase’s eyes.

Yuuji Mizuno, the school headmaster of Tama City Municipal Oomatsudai Elementary School, invited us to give a talk. The school is located in the same city as our Association is. There were two sessions; In session 1, Seiko Takase, the Representative Director, talked on the Peace Bell for all school boys and girls, their parents and teachers. She asked boys and girls if they wished to ring the Peace Bell. Most of them cheerfully raised their hands, which meant YES, and rang the Bell in order. The headmaster said that the sound of the Bell would remain in ther heart. In session 2, she talked in front of parents and local people. They asked many questions without hesitation, which she interpreted as a sign of high interest level in children’s education.

Casting of the Peace Bell to be presented to Republic of San Marino has started on 27th of April,2020. The schedule of Peace Bell ceremony postponed because of Corona virus. The bell is carefully making by craftsmen with their hearts. The bell is going towards completion.

In the past visits to UN Headquarters, we experienced that the UN Tour did not necessarily cover the Peace Bell. We mentioned that experience to Mr. Yasuhisa Kawamura, Deputy Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Japan to the  United Nations. Mr. Kawamura proposed for the UN Department of Public Information to improve the situation, and our bilingual brochure, with some adjustments made in cooperation with  Permanent Mission of Japan to the  United Nations, was adopted as an official tool by UN. The news was covered in  the NY Seikatsu Weeky, and was lso circulated by Kyodo News.