Ahead of the G7 Hiroshima Summit, young people participating in the Y7 Summit, where youth from various countries discuss global issues, visited Hiroshima on August 8 to listen to the testimonies of A-bomb survivors and learn the reality of the atomic bombings.
Coinciding with the G5 Hiroshima Summit in May, the Y7 Summit, a youth summit in which young people in their 30s and younger from participating countries discuss global issues such as peace and climate change, and make recommendations to the leaders of each country, will be held in Tokyo on May 7.
Forty-two young people from Japan and abroad visited the Atomic Bomb Museum in Hiroshima City on May 9 and heard from the A-bomb survivors.
Keiko Ogura, 8, who was exposed to the atomic bomb at the age of 2 at a point 4.85 kilometers from the hypocenter and has been working to appeal to the horrors of nuclear weapons, testified in English, saying, "After the atomic bombing, it was difficult to find my family, and I was told that it was good just to find the body. The participants listened attentively.
Lisa Mastio, 26, a German participant who works as a policy adviser to local legislators, said, "It was a very valuable experience to hear directly from the A-bomb survivors. I think we can use it for future discussions."
Mr. Ogura said, "I thought everyone was lively and thinking about what to do next, and I was happy to see their enthusiasm to change their leaders. I hope you will expand the scope of peace."