In August, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation travelled to Japan for the Choose Hope Symposium in Hiroshima on August 23rd and 24th. (You can read about the symposium here.)
Prior to the symposium, we spent time in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, where we participated in meetings with civil society colleagues, diplomats, and activists, visited museums and other important cultural sites, and learned about Japan and its culture and society. In attendance were Dr. Ivana Nikolić Hughes, Christian Ciobanu, Kenneth Chiu, and three Columbia University students and NAPF interns: Kate Jang, Erica Kokor, and Valeriya Zherebtsova. Dr. Hughe’s son Nemanja also joined us.
Tokyo
In Tokyo we had a number of meetings with diplomats, activists, and academics. We visited the museum of the Daigo Fukuryu Maru, “Lucky Dragon”, the Japanese fishing boat that was damaged in the US nuclear weapons detonation over the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands in 1954. The 23 crew members were caught in radioactive fallout from the blast and suffered from acute radiation poisoning. This event was monumental in mobilizing the Japanese public against nuclear weapons, sparking a petition that gathered over 30 million signatures and leading to the formation of the Japan Council Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyō) in 1955. It became one of the most influential anti-nuclear movements in history, shaping Japan’s pacifist identity, widespread public opposition to nuclear weapons, and the eventual adoption of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles in 1967.
We also visited the headquarters of Soka Gakkai International (SGI) and met with its President, Mr. Minoru Harada. The meeting began with a warm welcome from SGI youth members, who greeted the delegation with flags and cheers. Dr. Ivana Hughes, President of NAPF, and President Harada discussed shared commitments to advancing nuclear disarmament, focusing on the 1957 Toba Declaration, which calls for the total abolition of nuclear weapons. They spoke about the moral and ethical responsibilities of all nations, including the United States as the only country to use nuclear weapons in war, and Japan as the only nation to experience their use. The conversation highlighted Japan’s unique role in amplifying the voices of hibakusha, whose testimonies reveal the human cost of nuclear weapons. Dr. Hughes and President Harada also reflected on Daisaku Ikeda’s 1996 lecture at Teachers College, Columbia University, emphasizing education as a foundation for peace and global citizenship. The discussion concluded with shared reflections on the Choose Hope Symposium Declaration and a reaffirmed commitment to continued collaboration between NAPF and SGI toward a world free of nuclear weapons.
The NAPF team also met with members of Japanese civil society, the SGI Office for Disarmament Affairs, and a representative of Kazakhstan to exchange perspectives on advancing global disarmament. The discussion focused on ongoing initiatives and opportunities for collaboration among organizations in Japan, the United States, and Kazakhstan, emphasizing shared commitments to education, advocacy, and concrete action toward a world free of nuclear weapons.
Osaka
In Osaka the NAPF team visited the offices of Asahi Shimbun and met with [Name], along with several journalists from the newspaper. The discussion centered on Japan’s role in promoting nuclear disarmament and the importance of responsible journalism in raising public awareness about nuclear risks and the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons.
Kyoto
In Kyoto the NAPF team participated in a cultural excursion, visiting historic sites including Fushimi Inari Taisha, as well as gardens and temples, gaining a deeper appreciation for Japan’s heritage alongside the team’s broader focus on disarmament during their trip.
