Look again Hiroshima and Nagasaki with Hibakusha’s Eyes and Human Heart

 International Citizens’ Conference for No More Hiroshimas & Nagasakis
E-mail:hironaga@jca.apc.org 

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The Hibakusha, the A-bomb survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, are no longer young. In response to their call, we have formed an organizing committee composed of organizations and individuals from wide ranging social circles and strata to convene an "International Citizens' Conference for No More Hiroshimas and No More Nagasakis".
Observing the 60 years since the A-bomb tragedies, the conference will provide us with an opportunity to make known to the people in Japan and overseas on the damage from the atom bombs, share the achievements and the tasks of the movement with them, and spread the voices for "abolition of nuclear weapons" and "No more tragedies of war".
Everyone who is interested to know about Hiroshima or Nagasaki, or who is concerned about present crisis to peace, is welcome to the conference. We look forward to seeing you and talking with you in the conference on July 29-31, 2005 in Tokyo.


Theme 1: Analyzing the damage of Hiroshima & Nagasaki from the A-bombings

Comprehensive outlook of the A-bomb damage presented in pictures and testimonies
July 29, 18:30-21:00 at the Middle Hall

This program is an attempt to reproduce the whole dimension of the damage caused by the A-bombing by way of numerous testimonies of victims and researchers and documentary pictures. The presentation will be composed of Act 1: Shock in the first 10 seconds, Act 2: City disappeared in an instant, Act 3: Recitation of poems, Act 4: Thereafter, Act 5: At present, and Act 6: Hibakusha rising in action.

Full Session: Analyzing the damage of the A-bombing
July 30 09:00-12:00 at the International Hall

While focusing on the overall damage caused by the A-bombing, this program will also take up recently revealed problems such as wrong approach of the dosimetry system, the mental effect of the A-bomb to sufferers and other aspects of the damage that continue affecting the victims for nearly 60 years.

Speakers:
Masaharu Hamatani, Professor of the Hitotsubashi Univ.
Shuntaro HIDA, (Meedical doctor)
Masao Nakazawa,(Medical doctor)
Arjun Makhijani (President, Institute for Energy and Environmental Research)


Theme 2: Criminality of Nuclear Weapons

Plenary session on Criminality of Nuclear Weapons
July 30 13:00-15:00 at the International Hall

What is the meaning of the damage of the A-bombings to the humans and their history? Why should we "try" the bombings now? What do we have to make clear to establish that the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are crimes? The prominent experts in their specialized fields will present their viewpoints.

Keynote reports:
Christopher Weeramantory, former vice-president, International Court of Justice
Tetsuya Takahashi, Professor of the University of Tokyo

Reports on specific topics
Peter Kuznick, Professor of the American Univ. 
Kwon Heok-tae, Professor of the Korean Anglican Communion Univ. 
Hisanori Yamada, Professor of the Meiji Univ.

Workshops under the theme 2: Criminality of Nuclear Weapons
July 30, 15:30-18:00

Workshop 1: Examining the A-bombings (International Hall)
Following the full session of Topic II, the Workshop I will focus on the "A-bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki" to reach a proper judgment. Reporters at the Plenary Session will facilitate discussion.

Coordinator: Ken-ichi Okubo, the Japanese Association of Lawyers against Nuclear Arms

Workshop 2: Outlawing Nuclear Weapons (Conference Room 301)
Based on the reports presented at the Plenary Session on Topic II, the workshop II will pursue the abolition of nuclear weapons from different angles.

Speakers:
Daniel Elsberg, USA
Ikuro Anzai, Professor of Ritsumekan Univ.
Alyn Ware, Parliamentary Network for Nuclear Disarmament
Coordinator: Akira Kawasaki, Peace Boat


Theme 3: Demands and Rights of the Hibakusha
Workshop on Demands and Rights of the Hibakusha" (Conference Room 501)

This workshop will discuss the problems of damage by the A-bombings and the relief and compensation measures taken in the postwar period. It will learn about what demands the Hibakusha have and what tasks we face to help them. It also discusses actions for international solidarity with the Hibakusha. Victims will speak about their present problems. Speakers also include plaintiffs and lawyers of the ongoing Hibakusha lawsuits for the state recognition of their diseases as being caused by the A-bombing.

Speakers:
Junko Ichiba: The Association of Citizens in Support of South Korean Atomic Bomb Victims
Kwak Kifun, President of the Korean A-bomb Victims Association
Choi Bongtae: Secretary General, the Korean Forced Labor Inquiry Committee, ROK
Nobuto Hirano: Chair, National Liaison of the Second Generation A-bomb Victims Organizations


Theme 4: Inheriting Memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Workshop 1: Peace Education (July 31, 09-00-12:00 Conference Room 301)
This workshop will hear reports on the tasks of peace education to inherit and carry forward the memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and some practice reports in school education. It will also discuss and work out recommendations for UNESCO and the Foreign Ministry of the Japanese Government to ensure that Hiroshima and Nagasaki will find their places in the peace and disarmament education.

Speakers:
Kathleen Sullivan, Researcher on peace and disarmament education
High School Students on their campaign for 10 thousands signatures
Hideo Fujita, Professor Emeritus, Ritsho Univ.
Kwon Heok-tae, Professor of the Korean Anglican Communion Univ. 

Workshop 2: Dialog and Exchange (July 31, 09:00-12:00, Conference Room 302)
The workshop, using results of various inquiries and practices, will explore what the Hibakusha want to send as their message to the young generations and what their message will mean to those who receive it. It will enrich future activities on this subject through dialog and exchange of experiences. Everyone, regardless of your knowledge about the Hibakusha and their problems, is welcome to the workshop.

1) "Now is the time to speak, and Now is the time to listen to": Report on the outcome of inquiries, speeches of Hibakusha and of younger generation participants
2) "Friendship time": the program for developing friendship between participants
3) "Looking for what I can do": The participants will explore their future activities through discussion and activity reports.



Workshop 3: Media (July 31 09:00-12:00, International Hall)
Through discussion, the panelists from the media will review the A-bomb related media reports and discuss ways and means to keep the public informed of "Hiroshima" and "Nagasaki".

Panel Discussion: How did the media report on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? 
Panelists:
- Takashi Hiraoka: former Mayor of Hiroshima, former editor in chief of the Chugoku-Shimbun and former president of the RCC Broadcast Co.
- Hitoshi Sakurai: Executive producer of NHK
- Kazuto Yoshida: Hibakusha, journalist
- Hiroshi Iwadare: former editorial board member of Asahi Shimbun
Coordinator: Miki Myochin, former chair of the Shimbunroren, national federation of Press workers' unions, journalist of Mainichi Shimbun /end


Citizens' Rally in Commemoration of the 60th Year of the A-Bomb Suffering of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Special addresses: the mayors of Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Panel Discussion: "Message of Hiroshima & Nagasaki to the future"
Panelists:
Choi Bongtae: Secretary General, the Korean Forced Labor Inquiry Committee
Kathleen Sullivan, Researcher on peace and disarmament education
Coordinator:
Tetsuya Takahashi, Professor of the Tokyo Univ.

Concert ：Kotobuki, Lee Jeongmi

Classic Concert "Mizuwo Kudasai"
July 30, 18:30-21:00, Grand Hall
Program
Overture "Egmont"
Symphonic Poem "Mizuwo Kudasai"(Give me water, please)
Symphony 6 " Pastoral" 
Conductor: Herwig Reiter
Vocal Sole: Akiko TAKAHARA
Orchestra: Tokyo Fiore Orchestra
Ticket (reserved seats only): 
Class A: \5,500 (Advance ticket=\5,000)
Class B: \4,500 (Advance ticket=\4,000)


Contact:
Secretariat: International Citizens' Conference for No More Hiroshimas & No More Nagasakis
Address: 7-1 Kasumi-ga-oka-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0013, c/o Nihon-Senen-Kan
Phone: 03-3475-2490
Fax: 03-3475-0668
URL: http://www.hibaku60icc.org
E-mail: hironaga@jca.apc.org