October 2024
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui addressed the Seanad Eireann, seeking cooperation over the fight against nuclear weapons and over calls for peace.
On 23rd of October, 2024, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui addressed the Seanad Eireann, the upper chamber of Ireland's parliament, on Wednesday, seeking cooperation over the fight against nuclear weapons and over calls for peace.
Director of the UCD Centre for Japanese Studies (JaSt), Assoc. Prof. Naonori Kodate, Assist. Prof. Declan Downey (School of History) and Mr Hugo O’Donnell (UCD Global Engagement/ Founding Chair of the Japan Festival in Ireland, Experience Japan), alongside Prof. Nathan Hill and two TCD colleagues (Trinity Centre for Asian Studies) were invited to attend the session.
Jast, in collaboration with the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, Hiroshima City University and Hiroshima University, hosted a seminar and a 2-week long post exhibition in February 2024. https://www.ucd.ie/japan/newsevents/hiroshimaseminarposterexhibition/
Seanad Éireann debate - Wednesday, 23 Oct 2024 Vol. 303 No. 10
Excerpt - (opens in a new window)https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/seanad/2024-10-23/9/
“Members of Seanad Éireann, Dáil Éireann, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Dia dhaoibh a cháirde. It is a great honour to address the Oireachtas, which has more than 100 years of history since the establishment of the Free State of Ireland. I would like to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to the Cathaoirleach, Senator Jerry Buttimer, for giving me this opportunity to speak in the Chamber of Seanad Éireann and to the Ceann Comhairle, Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl, for kindly supporting my visit and enhancing the ties between Ireland and Hiroshima since leading the Oireachtas delegation's visit to Hiroshima in February last year. I also thank the Members of both Houses for their great support and consideration.
I am delighted to be able to visit Ireland for the first time. It is a country of art and culture, rich in greenery and nature. It is also a great pleasure to visit Leinster House, which has witnessed Ireland’s history of hardship and success over many years. Having experienced hundreds of years of hardship, the people of Ireland can understand the pain of others and have a particularly strong desire for peace. It is well known that Ireland took the lead in promoting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons through its tremendous efforts on the drafting, adoption and ratification of that treaty, which entered into force in 2021. Ireland's commitment to humanitarian initiatives to protect innocent civilians resulted in the adoption, in Dublin in 2022, of the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas. It is also highly regarded internationally. These initiatives have been driven by the strong will and support of the people of Ireland.
The Nobel-prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney, a poet respected in Japan as well as Ireland, expressed the people's rage and grief over violence and conflict and how important hope is in the face of adversity. His following words resonate with people around the world:
History says, Don’t hope
On this side of the grave…
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.
The atomic bombing in 1945 devastated Hiroshima city and claimed the lives of innocent children and civilians. This is not only the reality of history; it is also the reality of the present, as the hibakusha are still suffering the aftereffects of the bombing. We, the citizens of Hiroshima, have been striving for a world without nuclear weapons, with the condition of the conviction of the hibakusha that "no one else should suffer as we have". We never give up our hope and we uphold human life and the humanitarian initiative, together with people around the world.
Ms Teruko Yahata, who was exposed to the atomic bombing at the age of eight, began taking English lessons at the age of 83, determined to speak about the terrible reality and suffering in her own voice and words. Now she tells her story across the world:
If a nuclear bomb was used now, humankind would be wiped out. What I can do is to continue to communicate the reality of the atomic bombing, send out warning bells to the global community, and live in the present.
In recognition of such tireless work and action on the part of the hibakusha, it was recently announced that this year’s Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the Nihon Hidankyo (…)”
Left to Right: Mr Hugo O’Donnell (Founding Chair, Experience Japan – the National Hanami Festival in Ireland / UCD Global Engagement / UCD Japan Group), Dr Declan Downey (JaSt / UCD School of History), Prof. Nathan Hill (Director, Trinity Centre for Asian Studies)