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On 24 October 2025, United Nations Day, the 9th Peace Bell Ringing Ceremony was held at Osaka Expo Memorial Park.

The event took place under clear skies in a refreshing environment. Following an address by Representative Takase Seiko, congratulatory messages were delivered by Mr. Nakano Kansei, former Vice-President of the House of Representatives; Mr. Misawa Yasushi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for Kansai Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Osaka Prefectural Assembly Members Mr. Sugie Yusuke, Ms. Ishikawa Tae, and Ms. Otake Izumi; and Mr. Hamada Yuichiro, Director of the Osaka Expo Memorial Park Office. Governor of Osaka Prefecture, Mr. Yoshimura Hirofumi, Mayor of Suita City, Mr. Goto Keiji, and Superintendent of Education for Osaka Prefecture, Mr. Mizuno Tatsuro, were represented by delegates who read their congratulatory messages. Congratulatory messages were also presented from Mr. Okahara Fumiaki, Mayor of Uwajima City (the birthplace of Nakagawa Chiyoji), former Member of the House of Representatives Mr. Satō Akira, and Ms Tokashiki Naomi. In their addresses, amidst the 80th anniversary of the war’s end, all expressed concern for the current unsettled world situation and wished for global peace.

During the ringing of the Peace Bell, everyone joined hands, wishing for peace as they struck the bell. Finally, Director Tomari delivered the closing remarks. A commemorative photograph was taken, and the ceremony concluded without incident.

　　　　　　　

I was invited to attend the ceremony on 22 August hosted by the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo United Nations Pavilion and the luncheon hosted by the Expo Association. Mr. Katsura and Mr. Takai also attended the ceremony. The ceremony was attended by Her Imperial Highness Princess Tsuguko, followed by opening remarks by Miyaji Takuma, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, and a speech by Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General. The program included a video performance of Yo-Yo Ma’s cello playing, a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 “Eroica” by the UN Orchestra, and a choral performance by the Osaka Kwansei Gakuin University Mixed Chorus.

I was able to greet Secretary-General Guterres and Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki of the Japanese Mission to the United Nations for the first time in a year. At the luncheon hosted by the Expo Association that followed, I had the opportunity to greet many prominent figures, including Aizawa Ichiro, a member of the House of Representatives, whom I do not usually have the chance to meet. After the luncheon, Secretary-General Guterres visited the UN Pavilion and viewed the UN Peace Bell. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Ichikawa Naomi of the UN Pavilion and Fukuhara Koji of the Expo Association for their kind consideration. 

　　　

 

On 19 and 20 July, six students from Uwajima Higashi School gave presentations at the Osaka-Kansai Expo on the peace activities of Nakagawa Chiyoji, former mayor of Uwajima and the man who presented the Peace Bell to the United Nations in 1954.

The presentations were given twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon in the event room inside the UN pavilion, with each of the three students taking turns giving an excellent presentation. One afternoon presentation was given in front of the UN Pavilion using a handmade board.

In his greeting, Maher Nasser, the representative of the UN Pavilion, praised the work of Nakagawa Chiyoji. Takase Seiko, the representative Director of the Association for the Preservation of UN Bell, also gave a speech each time and continued to share Nakagawa’s thoughts and feelings.

Many people attended each event, listened attentively, and rang the Peace Bell. We felt that they understood the peace movement of Nakagawa Chiyoji. We would like to thank Kusu Kazuhito and　Tsuzuki Karin of Uwajima Higashi School for their great support. Many members of the Association, including the directors and auditors, also participated to support the high school students.

We are sincerely grateful to the staff of the UN Pavilion for their cooperation and concern, and for creating this opportunity for us.

　　　　　　　

On September 21, 2020, the 4th ringing ceremony of Peace Bell was held in the Osaka EXPO Memorial Park under the clear sky.

Although there was concern about coronavirus infection, this ceremony was carried out with the understanding of Osaka Prefecture government on the International Day of Peace.

Initially we wanted to make this ceremony small because of coronavirus, but ended up with about 30 attendees, more people than we initially anticipated.

In addition, there was a surpre; encounter with Hashigo Nakamura, a Narikomaya kabuki actor,who performed a special kabuki play “Heiwaninareya Inoruwakonokane.” ( “Aspire to Peace with this Bell.”)

Finally he shouted “Do not grudge against others, but do love,” which sounded as if Chiyoji Nakagawa was shouting, and I felt tears flew.

He also joined the ringing ceremony held simultaneously throughout Japan,and the Bell in Osaka EXPO Park, a sister bell of the UN Peace Bell, was rung towards the world.

We did all measures to fight against coronavirus; checking body tempreture, disinfect hands, installing smart phone application COCOA, registering to the corona tracking system of Osaka prefecture, and interview.

These cumbersom measures were kindly accepted by attendees, and the solemn and touching bell ringing ceremony was successfuly concluded.

I cordially thank you all concerned parties.

On October 27, 2019, an autumn clear day, the third ceremony of ringing the Peace Bell was held in the Expo’70 Commemorative Park in Osaka under full cooperation by Osaka Prefectural Government.

Honorable guests included Governor of Osaka Hirofumi Yoshimura, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in charge of Kansai Region Jota Yamamoto, as well as Osaka Prefectural Board of Education, Member of Osaka Prefectural Assembly, Chairman of Suita City Board of Education, Member of Suita City Assembly, Member of Kamakura City Assembly, and Office Manager of Osaka Expo’70 Commemorative Park. Local elementary school boys and girls helped the reception desk as volunteers.

Children in wheelchair from local facilities for disables joined the ceremony and rang the Peace Bell.
Total seventy members and supporters of our association from Shikoku, Kansai and Kanto regions attended the ceremony.

The first UN Peace Bell Concert started in Nihombashi

On November 16, 2019, a music concert for peace was held in a hall on the eighth floor of the Nihombashi Community Education Center.

The concert was organized jointly by the Association for the Preservation of the UN Peace Bell and a chorus group focused on spiritual hometown.

The Peace Bell of the UN Headquarters was presented in 1954 as the only gift from Japan. It has existed since then as a symbol for world peace.

The concert was an opportunity to learn about the footsteps of a Japanese man, Cahiyoji Nakagawa, his courageous act and aspiration for world peace. He visited single-handedly the UN soon after WWII to express the importance of the world peace.

The rich program of the concert lasted for two hours. The stage and the audence was one, leaving everyone with touching impression.