Peace Boat, a Japan-based, international NGO that has been working since 1983 to promote peace and sustainability through the organization of peace voyages onboard a large passenger ship, will depart from Yokohama on 7 September 2008 for its 63rd Global Voyage for Peace.

In a world-first, 101 Hibakusha (Atomic Bomb Survivors) of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will join this voyage to share their testimonies of the experience of the atomic bomb with people around the world. These Hibakusha are not only from Japan, but also Korea, Brazil, Canada and Australia. Through direct interaction with youth, citizens, NGOs and victims of wars from other parts of the world, the Hibakusha will not only act as peace and disarmament educators, raising awareness on the dangers of nuclear weapons and the human costs of war, but also forcefully add their voices to the call to abolish all nuclear weapons and create an alternative vision for peace and global stability that does not rely on force.

In commemoration of Peace Boat's 25th Anniversary, this project will connect Hibakusha with citizens, NGOs and youth throughout the world, and give a new breath of life to the global network of citizens working for peace and nuclear abolition. Over 103 days participants will visit 22 ports in 20 countries. Highlights will include exchange with victims of Agent Orange in Viet Nam; a public event in the nuclear state of India, visiting the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Square with the Mayor of Telde, Spain; a peace festival in Venezuela; giving testimony at the UN General Assembly in New York, USA; exchange with victims of nuclear testing in Tahiti; and a national conference and proposed meeting with Prime Minister Rudd in Sydney, Australia. Activities together with the “Mayors for Peace” campaign, coordinated by the Mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, will also take place in all ports.

This is likely to be the first, and only, time in world history for such a large group of Hibakusha to travel and share their experiences directly with citizens around the world. Supported by many Japanese and international NGOs, and gaining attention of Nobel Peace Laureates, this project is sure to gain great attention during its global journey. A press conference will be held at the departure of the voyage as below.
NB: The itinerary has altered since its initial announcement – please check www.peaceboat.org/english/voyg/63/itinerary.html for updates.

Date: 7 September 2008 (Sunday)

Time: 10:00 Press Conference, 11:20 Departure Ceremony, 12:00 Ship Departs

Venue: Yokohama Port, Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal (www.osanbashi.com)
7 min walk from Nihon Odori Station, Minato Mirai Line


Speakers:

• Setsuko THURLOW, Order of Canada Recipient (Toronto)
• MORITA Takashi, Associação das Vitimas de Bomba Atômica no Brasil (San Paolo)
• MORIMOTO Junko, Picture book author and artist (Sydney)
• KWAK Kwihoon, Korean Hibakusha Association (Seoul)
• OMORI Katsuyoshi, Atomic Bomb Disease Recognition Collective Lawsuit Plaintiff
• NAKAMURA Kikuyo, Representative of Hibakusha at 2006 Nagasaki Peace Ceremony
  
  

Other Hibakusha from Hiroshima and Nagasaki

• ISHIKAWA Seiko, Ambassador of Venezuela to Japan (other Ambassadors also invited)
• KAWASAKI Akira (Peace Boat Executive Committee / Hibakusha Project Director)
• More
  
  

Contact:

• Peace Boat Office, Tel 03-3363-7561, Fax 03-3363-7562
• Meri Joyce 080-3457-9714