On the 16th, Chairman Bach of the IOC = International Olympic Committee, who is visiting Japan, visited the atomic bombed area of ​​Hiroshima City.

Chairman Bach said, "The Tokyo Olympics will be a light of hope for a peaceful future," and said that the success of the Tokyo Games is necessary for advancing efforts toward peace.

IOC President Bach, who is visiting Japan before the opening of the Tokyo Olympics, visited the A-bombed area, Hiroshima Peace Park, on the afternoon of the 16th.



After being greeted by Governor Yuzaki and Deputy Mayor Koike of Hiroshima City, Chairman Bach silently offered flowers to the Atomic Bomb Memorial in the rain.



Next, Chairman Bach visited the Atomic Bomb Museum to see the clothes of the children who were exposed to the atomic bomb, and then talked with Governor Yuzaki and Fumiaki Kajiya, who was exposed to the atomic bomb at the age of six.



In this, Mr. Kajiya said, "The fire of the atomic bomb should not be three times, but I want the fire of the torch to continue for a long time. I pray for the success of the Olympic Games." You should come here. I want to continue praying as an ambassador for peace with the atomic bomb survivors. "



After this, President Bach gave a speech, "Today I am here to remember all the people in memory of this place. To reaffirm the mission of peace and pay homage to Hiroshima as a city of peace. I'm here. "



He said, "There will be no peace if there is a lot of solidarity in society. The Tokyo Olympics will be a light of hope for a better and more peaceful future." He complained that he needed success.

Citizens' groups appeal to stop holding protests

On the other hand, in Hiroshima City, a civic group opposed to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics protested and appealed for the cancellation of the event.



Fifty people participated in the protest activities at the announcement of the organizer, with banners written in Japanese and English saying "I request the cancellation of the Tokyo Olympics", etc., on the north side of Peace Park in Naka-ku, Hiroshima City. I marched.



Then, around 1:20 pm when Chairman Bach arrived at Peace Park, he complained, "Bach should not use Hiroshima."



Meanwhile, another civic group that appeals for anti-nuclear and peace also protested at the same place, saying to Chairman Bach, who is offering flowers to about 10 people, "Stop the Olympics" and "Bach go home." It was.



Kunihiko Sakuma, Chairman of the Hiroshima Prefectural Atomic Bomb Victims Association, who participated in the demonstration, said, "I want to come to Hiroshima and appeal for peace while people in the world and Hiroshima are not really happy to hold the Olympics." It doesn't sound to us, and I'm not convinced that it should come after Corona is settled. "