On 13 September, I attended the Peace Bell Ceremony at the UN Headquarters in New York; as it was raining lightly on 13 September, the ceremony took place in a building with a view of the Peace Bell.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President of the General Assembly Dennis Francis tolled the bell, followed by remarks by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Kimihiro Ishikane and UN Deputy Secretary-General Melissa Fleming. Mr Shinichiro Abe, the creator of the Japanese Garden, also attended the ceremony, which included a tea offering by the 100-year-old Grand Master Sen Genshitsu.
In the afternoon, I visited the Permanent Mission of Japan to the UN and received an award from Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Kimihiro Ishikane at an awarding ceremony of the Ambassador’s Commendation. I also received warm hospitality from the Ambassador and his wife at the Ambassador’s residence.
I was on a forced schedule, leaving Haneda on the 12th, attended the ceremony on the 13th and left New York on the 14th to return home. Although I had to use a cane and wheelchair, everyone was kind to me along the way, and the kindness of people deeply impressed me.
Representative: Seiko Takase
