This year, as we prepare to recognize 79 years since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the world faces the biggest risk of nuclear conflict since the Cold War. This moment demands heroes and far-sighted leaders to pull the world back from the brink and calls for all of us to join the world’s most visible demonstration for a future free from nuclear weapons.

Join us this August 6-9 and show your support for a future without nuclear weapons.

About #CranesForOurFuture

CranesForOurFuture is an annual campaign led by the Hiroshima Organization for Global Peace (HOPe), the prefectures of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI). Every year, we mark the anniversaries of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by joining with others around the world to demand a more peaceful future—not another arms race.

How to participate

Between August 6-9, post a picture of a paper crane with the hashtag #CranesForOurFuture on social media along with a message about what motivates you to fight for a safer, better future.

For more details, visit the campaign website

Message from the Survivors

Mr. UEDA Masanori (Hiroshima)

During my boyhood years in World War II, we were forced to endure every difficulty while awaiting Japan’s expected victory. When I was in my second year of high school, I experienced the nuclear bombing at a factory located 1.5 km away from ground zero. That day, I was mobilized to work at the factory. Since then, for many years I have been suffering from the effects of radiation. Even now, I worry every day about the recurrence of cancer.
　Since all these misfortunes were caused by war, we should never engage in any war. Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan stipulates the renunciation of war. Revising the constitution to enable Japan’s rearmament will result in Japan becoming involved in a war. For the sake of future generations, we should never turn this beautiful country of abundant greenery into a war-devastated desert. This becomes very clear if we look at the present situation of Russia and Ukraine. Any country that attacks another will surely suffer retaliation.
We should choose a way that leads to a peaceful and better world.

Mr. MIMAKI Toshiyuki (Hiroshima)

Cries from Hiroshima
　On December 8, 1941, the former Japanese Navy carried out a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, triggering the war with the United States. If not for the occurrence of this incident, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki should never have happened. Hiroshima was utterly destroyed by the deadly blast of light, shock waves, and heat rays that humans had never experienced before. Moreover, within that year, the nuclear radiation that had been released took the lives of 140,000 people.
　Seventy-nine years have passed since that summer day. As survivors of the atomic bombings, we truly hope that the world’s nuclear powers will lead a search for ways to eliminate nuclear weapons from the earth.
At present, we can see armed conflicts in various parts of the world. It is our responsibility to build a peaceful world where our descendants can lead lives without fear.
　Which type of daily life would you prefer, one in which children are terrified by constant gunfire, or a life that they can lead safely together with their parents? All human lives are precious. Children should be taught that every human life outweighs the earth. No country should ever produce, possess, or use nuclear weapons, and should never threaten to use nuclear weapons. Nuclear abolition is the only path we should pursue.

Ms. MATSUMOTO Mitoe (Nagasaki)

On the morning of August 9th, 1945, an intense light lit up the area as if a hundred cameras were flashing at once.

To this day, I still do not like the sound of airplanes, which reminds me of the sirens and explosive sounds of air raids. I hope that such air raid sounds will never fill the sky in the future. These sounds deeply hurt children’s hearts.

War is rooted in the idea of revenge. Adults and nations are the same. Nothing can be solved without dialogue. I hope you vote for peace-loving politicians so that our voices can be heard.