In Tokyo, Princess Akiko struck the peace bell at the ceremony held at Zojoji Temple. After the bell-beating ceremony, Sukehiro Hasegawa, chairman of the Japan Committee for International Peace Day, explained the purpose of the event. Then, Sen Genshitsu, president of the United Nations Association of Japan and the head of Urasenke, and Yoshiko Higashikuni, Chairman of the World Federation Culture and Education Promotion Council, gave a speech, and Yuriko Koike, the Governor of Tokyo Metropolitan Government, gave a congratulatory address. Actress Mikako Yoshida then read a message from Fabrizio Hochschild, Special Advisor to the Secretary-General for the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. Please clickhere. (Reporter: Yuuki Watanabe)
This “bell-ringing ceremony to pray for peace” was also held at Expo Park (Osaka), Peace Bell (Hiroshima), Urakami Catholic Church (Nagasaki), Iwashimizu Hachimangu (Kyoto), Rissho Koseikai Cathedral (Tokyo), Mt. Hiei, Enryakuji Temple (Shiga), Omoto Humanity Association (Kyoto), Okinawa Memorial Hall (Okinawa) and so on.
After the bell-ringing, Sukehiro Hasegawa, chairman of the Japan Committee for International Peace Day, explained the purpose of the event, stating “This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. In addition, a pandemic of the new coronavirus infection has occurred, and now is the time for the world to solidarity. Therefore, on the occasion of International Peace Day on September 21, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981, I would like to go beyond the boundaries of various denominations, and ring bells, to pray for world peace, and pledge world solidarity.”
Next, Sen Genshitsu, president of the United Nations Association of Japan, said “I am very grateful to have Princess Akiko here today. Also, many guests, including Ms.Yoshiko Higashikuni and Governor Koike. Princess Akiko, thank you very much for your attendance and for making the first shot. As Mr. Hasegawa said earlier, it is very significant to ring this bell. It is a blow to pray for world peace and human peace. I sincerely hope that this bell will spread widely.”
Next, H.E. Yoshiko Higashikube, Chairman of the World Federation Cultural Education Promotion Council, said, “I am very pleased that this ceremony was held today with all the people who gathered from various places. The activities of the World Federation begin with the awareness that each of us as a member of the international community. The purpose of this association is to reaffirm and widely disseminate that culture and education will be “a guide to peace.” I am honored to have the opportunity to have Princess Akiko attend us today and gain an understanding of our daily activities. Her Royal Highness has been studying international culture and has been carrying out activities to convey Japanese culture to children, who will lead the future for many years. We sincerely pay tribute to the work of Her Royal Highness. Chiyoji Nakagawa, a director of the United Nations Association of Japan, was the foundation of the ceremony for the Peace Bell at the United Nations Headquarters. ‘I want to make something that resonates with the people of the world so that war will never happen again. It is a peace bell made of sweaty coins used by people who wish for world peace. I would like to present it to the UN headquarters and I want people to call for their feelings for world peace by making it sound high. It is my belief that the sound of the bell evokes a feeling of peace.’ It was cast and presented to the United Nations in 1945. Earlier, we pledged peace and solidarity with the world together with everyone in the country. I sincerely hope that this activity will continue to spread to as many people as possible, and that people around the world will continue to work hand in hand for peace.”
Next, actress Mikako Yoshida read the message of Fabrizio Hochschild, Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. “It is my honor to be a strong contributor to the United Nations system that supports peace and development, including guests, stakeholders, Japanese political and spiritual leaders. I would like to express my respect again. The United Nations is for multilateral cooperation, and its support is high, meaning that all Japanese people are involved in its principles and objectives. It has been highly evaluated. On International Peace Day, I am glad to know that Japanese people are holding bell-beating ceremonies all over Japan, including Zojyoji Temple in Tokyo. As symbolized by that the Peace Bell was donated to the United Nations, the sound of the bell deeply reflects the Japanese people`s strong desire for peace. This ceremony combines the future we desire and the aspirations we need for the United Nations. We welcome you to join us in this year’s United Nations 75th Anniversary Ceremony. We hope that the teachers will deepen their understanding of the main purpose of the United Nations and the Japanese people. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the initiative of the civil society organizations.
Finally, Yuriko Koike, the Governor of Tokyo, said, “Today, in the presence of Princess Akiko, a bell-ringing ceremony to pray for peace nationwide was held on International Peace Day.” Seventy-five years have passed since the end of the previous war. During this time, Japan has consistently followed the path of a peaceful nation thanks to the efforts of its predecessors who vowed to fight. Unfortunately, when we look at the world at large, regional conflicts and terrorisms are still occurring all over the world. Under such circumstances, we are also facing a new threat; infection of new coronavirus. Now is the time for us to work hand in hand with each other to confront this common enemy of humankind. Earlier, I struck a bell with everyone praying that the world should work together to bring the new Corona infection to an end. We struck a bell together. Even in Tokyo, we will continue to do our utmost to take measures against new coronavirus. And next year, the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held and Tokyo is the host city. As the Governor of Tokyo to lead this peace festival to success, we will strongly show the proof to the world that human beings have overcome the new coronavirus infection, and will further develop this Tokyo as the capital of Japan which is a peaceful nation. To conclude, I would like to extend my deepest respect to the executive committee chairman Hasegawa and all the people concerned for their efforts in holding the “Bell-beating Ceremony to Pray for Peace Nationwide on International Peace Day”. (Yuuki Watanabe)
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趣旨
「本年は国連創設75周年にあたります。また新型コロナウイルス感染症のパンデミックが発生し、今こそ世界が連帯すべき時であります。そこで1981年の国連総会で採択された9月21日の国際平和デーにあたり各界各派の垣根を超えて、全国各地で鐘等をならし、世界の平和と世界の連帯を祈念する式典を開催したいと考えております。」
日時：
令和2年9月21日（月曜日 敬老の日）国際平和デー 午前12時00分～12時30分
12時～ 1分間鐘等を鳴らす。 12時10分～ 式典（ご挨拶等）
会場
（本 部）大本山増上寺鐘楼前広場（東京） ※東京都港区芝公園4-7-35
新型コロナ感染症対策のため少数30人程度で主として野外で開催、食事会なし
（全国協力会場）きぼうの鐘（女川）、万博公園（大阪）平和の鐘（広島）、浦上天主堂（長崎）、石清水八幡宮（京都）
立正佼成会大聖堂（東京）、比叡山延暦寺（滋賀）、大本・人類愛善会（京都）、
沖縄慰霊堂（沖縄） ほか全国の社寺，教会、公園の鐘
主催：
国際平和デー日本委員会
協力：
日本国際連合協会、世界連邦日本推進協議会、世界連邦運動協会、世界連邦宣言自治体全国協議会、世界連邦日本国会委員会、世界連邦文化教育推進協議会、世界連邦日本宗教委員会、世界連邦仏教徒教協議会、世界宗教者平和会議日本委員会、日本宗教連盟、国連平和の鐘を守る会、ほか
後援：
外務省、平和首長会議
顧問：
各協力団体の代表者
千玄室（日本国際連合協会会長/裏千家大宗匠）
海部俊樹（世界連邦推進日本協議会/世界連邦運動協会会長/元内閣総理大臣）
東久邇吉子（世界連邦文化教育推進協議会会長/東久邇家当主）
田中恆清（世界連邦日本宗教委員会会長/神社本庁総長）
衛藤征士郎（世界連邦日本国会委員会会長・衆議院議員/自民党外交調査会長）
山崎善也（世界連邦宣言自治体全国協議会会長・京都府綾部市長）
高瀬聖子（国連平和の鐘を守る会会長）
徳大寺實啓(徳大寺文庫会長)
苅田吉夫(元デンマーク大使・宮内庁式部官長)
堤公長(宮内庁掌典) ほか
実行委員会：
委員長 長谷川祐弘（元国際連合事務総長特別代表･日本国際連合協会学術担当理事）
副委員長 宍野史生（世界連邦文化教育推進協議会理事長）
副委員長 戸松義晴（日本宗教連盟理事長）
副委員長 中嶋聞多（地域活性学会会長・信州大学教授）
副委員長 田中朋清（世界連邦日本宗教委員会事務局長）
委員 協力団体から推薦、各会場施設代表者、協力者等
事務局：
谷本真邦（事務局長）、塩浜修、山本貴之、山内建人、渡邉優紀、世界連邦日本国会委員会事務局員等
メッセージ：
国際連合本部より（ホスチャイルド国際連合事務総長特別顧問/事務次長 より）
※全国会場 動画Live配信(スイッチング)、今後取材要請
※飲食は伴いません/熱中症予防のため飲料提供のみ。
※都合で変更になる場合がありますので、ご了承下さい。
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９月２１日（月）
１１：００～３０ 大本山増上寺開場・ご到着
控室で休憩（光摂殿１Ｆ「蓮華の間」）
１１：４５～５０ 控室出発 鐘楼堂前へご移動
１２：００ （鐘楼堂前到着）「国際平和デーに全国で平和を祈る鐘打式」（鐘打）【動画配信有り】
（司会＝事務局長：谷本真邦、アシスタント＝女優：吉田美佳子）
１２：０５
鐘打後（鐘楼前 ※雨天光摂殿ピロティ―）ご着席
１．趣旨説明 元国連事務総長特別代表：長谷川祐弘委員長
２．祝辞披露・ご来賓紹介：司会
１２：１０
２．メッセージ 国連本部からのメッセージ 代読：司会
１２：１５
３．挨拶 日本国連協会会長：千玄室委員会顧問
１２：２０
世界連邦文化教育推進協議会会長：東久邇吉子委員会顧問
１２：２３
世界連邦国会委員会会長：衛藤征士郎委員会顧問（調整中）等
１２：２６
祝 辞 来賓・東京都知事：小池百合子様
１２：３０
閉会
１２：３３
御小憩（光摂殿１Ｆ「蓮華の間」）
１２：４５
増上寺 彬子女王殿下宝物館御賢覧 ※ご来賓で希望される場合は同行可
１３：１５
ご 出 発
※都合で変更になる可能性があります。
※鐘打第一打は、彬子女王殿下が鐘打されます。
第二打は千玄室様、東久邇吉子様、長谷川祐弘会長、小池百合子都知事で行います。
その後、順次ご来賓・主催者で鐘打いただきます。
※お席は２ｍ程度のフィジカル・ディスタンシングを確保します。
※晴天会場は、鐘楼前広場で。雨天の場合は、鐘楼前に移動し鐘打していただき、光摂殿前にて行います。
