STONEWALK JAPAN 2005 Nagasaki to Hiroshima, Japan July 2nd to August 4th, 2005 On the 60th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

On August 6, 1945, the city of Hiroshima was the target of the first atomic bomb used against civil population in history. Three days later, the United States dropped a second atomic bomb over the city of Nagasaki. In total, about one quarter of a million people were killed by the two bombs. Today, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and the country of Japan are strongly engaged in banning nuclear weapons and their testing worldwide.

Stonewalk Japan 2005 marks the 60th anniversary of the thousands killed by the atomic bombs, with a peace walk from Nagasaki July 2nd, to Hiroshima, August 4th.

Correspondence from Tadatoshi Akiba Mayor of the City of Hiroshima

June 4, 2005

A Message from the Mayor

I am sending a message to commemorate the Stone Walk.

Since our atomic bombing experience 60 years ago, Hiroshima has continually appealed for the abolition of nuclear weapons and for lasting peace to come to the world. However, with the cycle of hatred, violence, and retaliation unbroken around the world, massive arsenals of nuclear weapons remained stockpiled on the earth, and the danger that they will be used mounts.

To bring humanity back from this precipice and allow it to thrive in the 21st century, it is critical to listen to the message of the hibakusha, who broke the cycle of retaliation and demonstrated the path to reconciliation. We must correctly understand what happened to them and make their experience a shared human memory.

For that reason, we are working to disseminate Hiroshima-Nagasaki courses to help the youth in particular understand the realities of the bombing and the hibakusha message, “No one else must ever suffer this.” We are also carrying out a project to encourage adults to read written A-bomb accounts to children. Moreover, we are engaged with cities and NGOs around the world to further the Emergency Campaign to Ban Nuclear Weapons.

I find deep significance in the Stone Walk Japan 2005 Nagasaki-Hiroshima, which will move a one-ton stone from Nagasaki to Hiroshima for the cause of peace. Let me commend all the persons involved with the project. I ask all of you to continue to hold the memories of Hiroshima in your heart, and to join us in working with all your might to make 2005 a year of hope, one in which sprouts for the abolition of nuclear weapons burst forth.

I close with wishes for the good health and successful activities of all the participants.

Tadatoshi Akiba
Mayor
The City of Hiroshima