Peace Declaration (1991)

August 6 is a profoundly sad day for the people of Hiroshima. Yet it is also a day of renewing our dedication to peace and a day that we hope will live forever in the world's memory.

Forty-six years ago today, Hiroshima was devastated and countless lives were lost as the result of a single atomic bomb. This was the first wartime use of nuclear weapons in human history. Knowing from bitter experience how very easily the use of nuclear weapons could lead to the extinction of the human race, Hiroshima has sought untiringly to transcend hardship and hatred and to call unwaveringly for the abolition of all nuclear weapons and the attainment of lasting world peace.

Humanity has, just barely, escaped the hel1 of nuclear wars in the years since then, but the dangers of radioactive exposure have spread worldwide with the reckless nuclear testing and the accidents at atomic power plants. No more. We must generate no more hibakusha.

Hiroshima has begun to extend medical assistance to the victims of Chernobyl and other nuclear disasters, but their numbers are vast indeed. Thus it is that, taking this leadership initiative, Hiroshima is calling for an international relief effort for these people.

Iraq's invasion of Kuwait last year was completely beyond the bounds of acceptability. Yet the ensuing Gulf War not only generated vast numbers of casualties and refugees but also sparked environmental destruction threatening to destroy the global ecosystem. It is essential that we establish the means for peaceful conflict resolution.

Japan inflicted great suffering and despair on the peoples of Asia and the Pacific during its reign of colonial domination and war. There can be no excuse for these actions. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the start of the Pacific War. Remembering all too well the horror of this war starting with the attack on Pearl Harbor and ending with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we are determined anew to work for world peace.

Peace, of course, is more than the mere absence of war. Achieving peace also means eliminating starvation, poverty, violence, threats to human rights, refugee problems, global environmental pollution, and the many other threats to peace, and it means creating a climate in which people can live rich and rewarding lives.

The world is today groping its way toward a new world order successor to the Cold War. Major progress has been made toward nuclear disarmament. The heavy portals barring the way to peace are slowly being opened, and they can only be opened fully with the weight of our collective wisdom and concerted efforts.

Hiroshima thus renews its appeal:
Let all nations everywhere put an immediate and complete end to nuclear testing arid strive for the earliest possible abolition of nuclear arms.
Let all peoples everywhere recognize the folly and futility of war, reaffirm the treasure of peace, and work together for human happiness.
Hiroshima's appeal is a plaintive cry for the preservation of the human race, and we hope that the world's leaders will heed this plea.

It is imperative that we give most careful consideration to the different modalities of international cooperation and that we contribute to true world peace. It is essential that we observe the principles of peace embedded in our Constitution and promote education that inculcates a feeling for the preciousness of peace. It is essential that the Hibakusha Relief Law be promptly instituted under the principle of national indemnification. At the same time, we earnestly hope that forthright efforts will be made to promote support for those hibakusha resident on the Korean Peninsula, in the United States, and elsewhere. We call upon the government of Japan to do more in all of these areas.

Today, in this Peace Memorial Ceremony to commemorate the 46th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to all of the victims of that bombing and to pledge myself to join the people of Hiroshima in working untiringly for peace.

August 6, 1991

Takashi Hiraoka
Mayor
The City of Hiroshima

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E-mail：peace@city.hiroshima.lg.jp