As a YWCA Association in an atom-bombed county, YWCA of Japan has committed itself to nuclear abolishment for more than 35 years and developed advocacy campaigns and programmes against nuclear testing.

Every summer, the national association offer a study tour, for young women, to Hiroshima one of the cities attacked with a nuclear bomb during World War II. The ” Pilgrimage to Hiroshima” provides an opportunity for them to listen to the stories of atomic bombs survivors and participate in training on peaceful conflict resolution.

In recent years, the number of participants from YWCA neighbour countries, such as Korea and China has increased and their contributions make discussion during training very fruitful. Young people who participate gain skills to lead peaceful dialogue in the North East Asia.

From October 14 – 28 YWCA of Tokyo commemorates ‘Peace Week’. This year, YWCA of Tokyo is hosting a photo exhibition titled “Nuclear Blue – the nuclear-eaten earth“. Hitomi Kamanka, documentary filmmaker, will facilitate talk session based on her latest documentary “Rokkasho Village's Rhapsody”. The documentary is based on interviews with people from the village of Rokkasho where a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant was recently built. In addition, several study session will be held on peace building in the North East Asia by YWCAs in Kyoto, Osaka and Fukuoka.

Since World War Ⅱ, abolishment of nuclear weapons and development of peaceful dialogues in North East Asia are two of the main goals the YWCA of Japan. These are in line with the World YWCA’s main purpose to develop the leadership and collective power of women and girls around the world to achieve human rights, health, security, dignity, freedom, justice and peace for all people. Through the progammes of YWCAs in Japan, we hope that many young women beyond various barriers can collaborate and lead the peace and justice movement in their region.