Peace Declaration (1948)

On the morning of this very day, three years ago, the city of our forefathers instantly turned into a city of death and darkness. The precious lives of more than one hundred thousands of our fellow citizens were thrown away. Even now the terrible scene of that destruction remains imprinted on our memories.

This devastation, however, shows us what a war in the future could bring. It warns us of the danger of the annihilation of mankind by war. At the same time it convinces us that it is not impossible for man to establish world peace, if we employ the efforts and ingenuities which have been devoted to warfare to peaceful purposes. Putting this lesson to practical use is the only way to give meaning to the sacrifice of those victims who are at rest beneath the earth, and must be the greatest contribution we can make to the welfare of all mankind.

We, the citizens of Hiroshima, hold this solemn Peace Memorial Service to convey this lesson to the whole world, and we pray in sincerity that there may never be another Hiroshima in any part of the world.

History is nothing but the development of freedom and man's humanity, and the process of realization of God's will. We should believe in God's will and history, and trust "the justice and faith of people who love peace from all nations," thus establishing a bright era, which shall bring eternal peace and a new human culture to this atomic age.

Let us attain true peace by eradicating the act of war and the threat and crime of war.

Let us renounce war forever and establish the idea of world peace on this earth.

On this historic occasion of the third anniversary of the atomic bombing, we vow to achieve this goal by appealing for peace to the whole world. 

August 6, 1948

Shinzo Hamai
President of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Service Committee
Mayor of Hiroshima City