Background and Basic Concept of Our City's Peace Initiatives

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial City Construction Law was enacted on August 6, 1949, as a special law under Article 95 of the Japanese Constitution, to facilitate Hiroshima’s recovery after it was devastated in the atomic bombing. As expressed in the first article of the law, it aimed to “provide for the construction of the City of Hiroshima as a peace memorial city to symbolize the human ideal of the sincere pursuit of genuine and lasting peace.”

Due to this law, the work of rebuilding Hiroshima as a symbol of world peace became a national project. Setting the direction for city planning and bringing in more subsidies from the national government, the law contributed greatly to the reconstruction and development of Hiroshima.

78 years ago, Hiroshima suffered devastating damage as a result of the atomic bombing, in which the town and countless precious lives were lost. Nevertheless, through great struggle, those who managed to survive overcame their grief. Through steady efforts and warm support from inside and outside of Japan, people of Hiroshima, where it was said no trees or plants would grow for 75 years, accomplished an incredible reconstruction from ruins. 

Hiroshima is recognized by people from around the world as a symbol of peace and hope. This is not only for its familiarity as the site of an atomic bombing, but because people worldwide appreciate its reconstruction from ruins, and recognize it as a city that continues to pursue nuclear weapons abolition and lasting world peace. 

As the first city in the world to suffer an atomic bombing, the City of Hiroshima must pass down the efforts of the forerunners who worked to build a city of peace, and remain a city that aims to realize its wish for nuclear abolition and lasting world peace. For this purpose, individual citizens must inherit and share the experiences and will for peace of the hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors), and spread them to the world, so that policymakers from various countries empathize with their will. 

Peace Promotion Division, Citizens Affairs Bureau
Tel: 082-242-7831/Fax: 082-242-7452
E-mail: peace@city.hiroshima.lg.jp