Presentation at the High School Students’ Advocacy Competition
On 28 October 2024, The 71st High School Students’ Advocacy Competition for International Understanding and Cooperation, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Association, was held at the Elizabeth Rose International Conference Hall of the United Nations University, where 27 high school students made presentations after qualifying from among 274 entries from across Japan. From Ehime Prefecture, Okumoto Kaito of Ehime Prefectural Uwajima Higashi High School gave a presentation entitled ‘What role should the UN play now to protect world peace and security?. I was encouraged by the fact that he had accepted Nakagawa Chiyoji’s thoughts on world peace.
He delivered his speech with dignity and was very impressive.
8th Bell-Rolling Ceremony of the UN Peace Bell at Osaka Expo ‘70 Commemorative Park
The 8th Bell Ringing Ceremony of the Peace Bell was held in Osaka Expo Park on 24 October 2024, United Nations Day.
After the rain of the previous day, the day was blessed with fine weather and the event was held in a refreshing environment.
After an opening speech by Representative Takase Seiko, congratulatory speeches were delivered by Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi, Suita Mayor Goto Keiji and Osaka Prefectural Education Director Mizuno Tatsuro, followed by greetings from Osaka Prefectural Assembly members Ishikawa Tae and Otake Izumi and Osaka Expo Park Office Director Shinji Hajime. Also, a congratulatory address was presented by Okahara Fumiaki, Mayor of Uwajima City, Nakagawa Chiyoji’s hometown. Many other congratulatory speeches were received, but as the election was under way, we refrained from presenting them. In their congratulatory speeches, the participants expressed their concern about the current unsettled world situation and wished for world peace.
Everyone rang the Peace Bell with their hands together, wishing for peace. When a small child rang the bell, the applause was unintentionally overwhelming and moving.
The ceremony ended without a hitch with a closing speech by Director Ohno Jiro and a commemorative photograph.
Peace bells on display at the ‘Prayer for Love and Peace Exhibition’
On 23 September, ‘Prayer for Love and Peace Exhibition’ organised by the Inamori Art Project Group was held at the Asakusa Public Hall. We were invited by Sawa Yukari to display peace bell weighing 4 kg. Many visitors to the exhibition listened to the story of the UN Peace Bell with great interest and rang the bell.
At the exhibition, many photos and panels were displayed under the theme ‘What is the meaning of war’, and the play ‘The Fire Fighters’, which describes the love between the firefighters who were killed in the World Trade Centre for rescue operation in the September 11 attacks and the families left behind, was also shown.
Attendance at International Peace Day ceremony at Hie Shrine
On 21 September, Director Kasuga attended the Bell Ringing Ceremony to pray for peace across the country on International Peace Day, organised by the Japan Committee for International Peace Day, at Hie Shrine, as a representative of the Association.
After praying at the main building of Hie Shrine, about 30 people attended the ceremony on the third floor of the shrine office, including members of the House of Councillors and executive committee members. After an opening address by committee chairman Hasegawa Sukehiro, congratulatory speeches and messages from guests of honor were introduced. Before the bell-ringing, Director Kasuga explained the origin of the UN Peace Bell and how to ring it, and asked participants to ring the 1 kg Peace Bell.
After the ceremony, Representative Director Takase joined the symposium later in the day and gave a speech on peace.
Cleaning and bell-ringing at the UN Peace Bell in Osaka Expo ’70 Commemorative Park
On 21 September, on the International Day of Peace, we cleaned and rang the Peace Bell in Osaka Expo Park.
Taniyama Masaaki, director of the Association for the Preservation of the UN Peace Bell, his two sons and Amatsu Noriko, a member, cleaned the bell and weeded the grounds, after which they rang the bell to pray for peace. We hope that the echoes of the peace bell tolled by the young people will reach all over the world.
Peace Bell ringing at Taiheiji Temple in Uwajima
On 21. September, International Peace Day, a peace bell ringing ceremony was held at Taiheiji Temple, the family temple of Nakagawa Chiyoji, with the attendance of the temple’s chief priest, 13 general assembly members and about 30 members of the public. After Director Ohno jiro explained the significance of the Peace Bell, all participants rang the bell following the chief priest, Hoshino Ryushin. The sound of the bells reached Chiyoji on the other side of the veil.
