We have acquired this courage to stand up, thanks to
the World Conference of last August. There, people in our country and in
the world began to hear our voices, and recognizing the warm regards and
helping hands extended to us, suddenly we started to muster our courage.
At this occasion, we would like to express to the people of the world our
sincere gratitude and our decision to rise with a firm resolve.
Also, we would like you to receive these words of gratitude
and resolve as nothing but the words on behalf of the soundless voices
of the dead of the people who died a miserable death at the moment of the
bombing, of those who died of horrible A-bomb disease, of over 300,000
fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives.
We have, at today's gathering, commemorated the dead
and talked of the inexpressible sentiments piled up in these long years.
But unending talks of sorrow and anger, of torture and distress accumulated
deep in our hearts were not for getting a consolation or relief for the
time being. They had the purpose of setting ourselves up, holding hands
in hands, resolutely. We would appeal to the world what we must, would
demand the country what we need, arouse ourselves and save ourselves--these
talks provided for the occasion to consider the action we should take.
Thus, we have reassured our will to save humanity from
its crisis through the lessons learned from our experiences, while at the
same time saving ourselves.
Here, we appeal to the world uniting our voices. Humanity
must never again inflict nor suffer the sacrifice and torture we have experienced.
Atomic power, which has a tendency to follow the road to destruction and
extermination, must absolutely converted to a servant for the happiness
and prosperity of humankind. This is the only desire we hold as long as
we live.
Nevertheless, the world situation today seems as if
it has plunged into an age of Hydrogen Bombs race, and H-bomb experiments
are carried on in cold blood. How can we, who have been confronted with
rear of radiation sickness ever since the day of the atomic bombing, who
have seen people dying due to the radiation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki --
even several in this year already -- watch these H-bomb experiments that
contaminate air and water with indifference? We are determined not to hold
our tongues any more, whatever force and authority we have to challenge.
We are feeling a sensation or "resurrection"
at this occasion, in which we finally could get together. If our ordeals
and resurrection could play the role of a fort in protecting the life and
happiness of humanity in the atomic age, we would be able to express from
the bottom of our hearts,
"We are glad that we are alive."
Conveying our sincere gratitude and determination,
we conclude this message from our meeting to the world.
(August 10 1956)