In response to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, various groups in the country prayed for the situation to calm down and criticized Russia.
Japan-Ukraine Cultural Exchange Association "I want to regain peace"
Regarding Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, the chairman of a Japanese organization that has continued cultural exchange activities with Ukraine said, "Cultural activities are a symbol of peace and I want to restore peace," and appealed for the calming of the situation. rice field.
The Japan-Ukraine Cultural Exchange Association, headquartered in Yao City, Osaka, continues to hold cultural exchange events in both Japan and Ukraine.
Mr. Motohiro Ono, the chairman, established the Exchange Association 17 years ago to study Slavic culture such as Russia and Ukraine at university and to spread the charm of Ukraine to Japan.
There are about 250 members in various parts of Japan and Ukraine, and Mr. Ono was checking the safety of members and friends in various parts of Ukraine such as Kiev.
No one has been injured so far, but I was worried about the people in the area when I was informed that I was awakened by the sound of the bombing in the morning.
Regarding the military invasion, Mr. Ono was indignant, saying, "I cannot afford to trample on the rich and beautiful streets of Ukraine and the hearts of gentle and art-loving people."
It has been 30 years since Japan and Ukraine had diplomatic relations, and Mr. Ono wrote a commemorative booklet and was trying to further promote cultural exchange. I want more people to know Ukraine. "
After that, he said, "Cultural exchange activities were possible because both countries are peaceful. I want to regain peace so that I can carry out cultural activities that symbolize peace."
Japan Pen Club "Peaceful Solution"
Following the military invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the Japan Pen Club, along with the "International Pen" made by writers from around the world, said, "We are deeply concerned about the deterioration of the situation in Ukraine and have an armed conflict with all parties through peaceful dialogue. We call for a peaceful solution. "
"We are deeply concerned about the rapidly deteriorating situation in Ukraine under the threat of Russia sending troops to the Ukrainian border and escalating the use of military force," a statement released on the website said. "Every individual has the right to peace, free expression and free assembly. We peacefully make Ukraine's armed conflict to all parties through peaceful dialogue. We call on you to stop using propaganda, which is fueling violence. "
At the same time, "International Penn" said in a statement by the chairman, "We condemn the violence that the Russian army has put on Ukraine and urgently call for the end of the military aggression against the sovereign independent state. Bloodshed must be stopped now. We must. Peace must win. "
Siberian Detainees and Records Center "Deep resentment and disappointment at the use of military force"
Regarding Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, an organization that has supported those detained in Siberia and other areas after the war issued a statement saying, "I express my deep resentment and disappointment at the use of military force. I call for peaceful negotiations. "
After the war, more than 570,000 people were detained in Siberia and other areas, and about 55,000 people are said to have died in severe cold weather and hunger.
The Siberian Detainees and Records Center, which has supported Siberian detainees so far, issued a statement on the 25th about Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.
In the statement, "We have been deeply resented and disappointed with Russia's use of military force this time, as we have been seeking the truth and the return of the remains with the bereaved families at the expense of prisoners of war and civilians due to the detention after World War II. I will state it. "
"We still have more than half of the remains, but we have been weeping and we have been on the path to peace and friendship together. Do not betray the modest trust that has been nurtured." It is said that.
He then called on President Putin to immediately stop the attack and order him to withdraw. It is outrageous to suggest the use of nuclear weapons. He calls on him to immediately stop the military invasion and negotiate peacefully. I did.
Ken Arimitsu, the representative caretaker of the Siberian Detainee Support Center, said, "I have been collecting the remains for 76 years after the war, but I still do not know where he died, and the bereaved family is having a hard time. I'm sorry to hear that. "
Also to show off Russia's nuclear power
Russia's President Vladimir Putin said in a military invasion of Ukraine on the 24th, "Modern Russia is one of the strongest nuclear powers even after the collapse of the Soviet Union. A direct attack on Russia is defeated by potential invaders. There is no doubt that it will have catastrophic consequences, "he emphasized his stance of showing off that he is a nuclear power.
There were a series of angry voices from the atomic bombed areas of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
From the A-bombed area Hiroshima
At the Peace Park in Hiroshima City, there were voices saying that the devastation caused by nuclear weapons should not be repeated.
Of these, a 77-year-old A-bomb survivor said, "It's definitely a bad thing, and you shouldn't repeat Hiroshima. I want you to be peaceful soon."
A 29-year-old woman said, "We shouldn't try to move things with the threat of using nuclear weapons, and we don't want the world to be that way."
A 72-year-old man said, "Using nuclear weapons is ridiculous and unforgivable. A tragic event like Hiroshima should never happen again."
Hiroshima Prefectural Union "Never stop developing into World War III"
Tomoyuki Minomaki, President of the Hiroshima Prefectural Union, said, "I can't allow you to be in a state of war. Never let it develop into World War III." I want to do it. I'm threatening people with nuclear weapons, but I hope you never make a big mistake. "
From the A-bombed area Nagasaki
At Peace Park in Nagasaki, there were voices saying "absolute opposition" to the president's attitude and voices hoping for peace.
Among them, a man in his 80s in Nagasaki said, "I am absolutely against the statement to show off the nuclear power."
A teenage woman in Nagasaki said, "I'm scared. I don't want any country to start a war as an atomic bombed area, and I don't want Japan to get involved."
A man in his 40s in Iki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, said, "I know that the war is miserable, so I want you to proceed on a peaceful route."
In addition, a man who was a second-generation hibakusha in Hiroshima City, who was visiting Nagasaki, said, "The atomic bomb should never be used. It should not be said."
A-bomb survivor II in Nagasaki "I don't want the third use of nuclear weapons to become a reality."
A second-generation hibakusha woman from Nagasaki, who visited Ukraine for peace activities four years ago, complained, "I don't want the third use of nuclear weapons to become a reality."
Tomoko Otaki, a second-generation hibakusha living in Isahaya City, Nagasaki Prefecture, visited Ukraine four years ago with a male survivor for peace activities.
She said she was there, she exchanged views with people who had been displaced by the Chernobyl accident, and showed local children a picture-story show about the atomic bomb.
"I'm worried about what happens to the local people who were warm and hospitable at the time," she said.
He emphasized Russia's stance of showing off that it is a nuclear-weapon state, saying, "I don't want the third use of nuclear weapons to become a reality, following Hiroshima and Nagasaki. President Putin uses nuclear weapons. I don't think we know what will happen. Don't waste the experience of the atomic bombs and wars of our predecessors. "
Former islanders of the Northern Territories "Concerned about stagnation of territorial negotiations"
Following the military invasion of Ukraine by Russia, former islanders in the Northern Territories living in Nemuro City, Hokkaido, have voiced concerns about the impact on peace treaty negotiations and exchange projects.
Hirotoshi Kawada (87), a vice president of the Chishima Habomai Islands Residents' Federation, who is from Tara Island in the Habomai Islands and is made up of former islanders, said, "I never thought that such a situation would occur, and I was very shocked. I am worried about the impact on territorial negotiations, "he said, expressing concern that peace treaty negotiations, including territorial disputes, would stagnate.
Exchange projects with the four northern islands, such as "Northern Tomb Visit" and "Visaless Exchange," have been suspended for two consecutive years due to the spread of the new corona infection, and the Japanese side is aiming for an early resumption.
Regarding this, Mr. Kawada said, "Since I am getting older and the opportunities to visit are limited, I am looking forward to the day when the problem with Russia will be resolved as soon as possible and I can visit."
Also, from Yurushima in the Habomai Islands, Acting Director Yasushi Kakuka (84) of the Nemuro Branch of the Chishima Habomai Islands Residents' Federation said, "If Japan takes measures such as economic sanctions, Russia will be strong against territorial negotiations. There is a risk that it will come out with an attitude. I want you to move forward with negotiations separately from Ukraine and the northern territory. "
Regarding the exchange program with the four islands, he said, "The average age of former islanders has reached 86 years old, and the limit has been reached. I want you to be close to the feelings of former islanders who want to visit the island again."