STU48, an idol group based in the seven Setouchi prefectures, has been appointed as a newly official peace ambassador after the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing.
Today, STU48 announced that, in the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, Hiroshima City has been appointed as a “Peace Culture Ambassador” and will work to further promote peace culture. Three people, Ishida Chiho, Kurushima Yuka, and Nakamura Mai, were seated at the Peace Culture Ambassador Commission Ceremony held at Hiroshima City Hall. A letter of appointment has been officially awarded by Hiroshima Mayor Matsui Kazumi.
Mayor Matsui said the following at the commission ceremony:
“We have recently appointed everyone at STU48 as a Peace Culture Ambassador. It is important to encourage people to feel that peace is good through their daily activities, and to spread peace culture so that it does not destroy that importance. We hope that by utilizing social media, we will be able to communicate in words that are passed down to the younger generations. We hope that young people will be able to have a sense of fostering peace culture. We hope that by delivering the spirit of peace from the familiar STU48 people, peace will become more accessible to the younger generation. In the future, we hope that they will spread the appeal and significance of peace culture through participation in peace cultural events and public relations activities through social media.”
Following the words of Mayor Matsui, the three members spoke about their own thoughts.
Ishida Chiho (born in Hiroshima Prefecture) I am from Hiroshima Prefecture and have been exposed to peace learning since I was a little kid. I also had the opportunity to hear firsthand about my grandfather’s experiences of war, and I learned in depth about the preciousness of peace. STU48 has a song that expresses the wish for peace, “Who belongs to the flowers?” Through our songs and activities, we will continue to do our best to convey the importance of peace from Hiroshima to the whole country and to the world. ”
Kurushima Yuka (born in Hiroshima Prefecture) “Born in Hiroshima, I have been learning about peace since I was a child, and I have felt that peace is close to me. I will continue to strive to convey my past learning and feelings to many people through my songs and social media through my activities as an idol.”
Nakamura Mai (born in Ehime Prefecture) “I am from Ehime Prefecture and joined STU48, and I came to Hiroshima. I feel that Hiroshima is a place that gives me a lot of inspiration to think about peace. We at STU48 are based in the Setouchi area, including the city of peace and Hiroshima. We will continue to do our best to continue to convey the importance of peace.”
Through idol activities, STU48 aims to be an existence that allows all of a wide range of generations to think once again about the preciousness of peace. Our songs and performances have the power to convey our feelings. Through the message song “Who is the Flower?”, which wishes for peace, we have been able to connect the importance of peace to the future. With this appointment as a peace culture ambassador, I will continue to convey my thoughts not only to the Seto Inland Sea area, but also to the rest of the world. Peace is not something that is given to anyone, but is nurtured by each individual’s wishes and actions. Peace and a smile are essential to dream of the future. STU48 will continue to hope for peace through the power of song and convey its preciousness.
■ Peace Culture Ambassador
Peace Culture Ambassadors will be appointed to the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, with the aim of building consensus for civil society towards the abolition of nuclear weapons, and further promoting peace culture, effectively utilize videos and social media, while widely aware of the initiatives of young people and other citizens, and to further promote citizen participation.
