Video Released for "Uncovered Donation Box" Born in Hiroshima on the 80th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombing, on International Day of Conscience
Dialogue Japan Society, which operates the "Dialogue in the Dark" entertainment, released a video for the "Uncovered Donation Box" project. This project emerged from "Peace in the Dark @ Hiroshima," a program co-hosted with Hiroshima City and Chugoku Shimbun as an 80th-anniversary project of the atomic bombing, and was released on the "International Day of Conscience."
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- 📰 Published: April 5, 2026 at 21:00
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Dialogue Japan Society (Minato Ward, Representative Director: Kiyoe Shimura), which operates the completely dark entertainment "Dialogue in the Dark," released a video for the "Uncovered Donation Box" project on April 5, the "International Day of Conscience." This project emerged from "Peace in the Dark @ Hiroshima," a Dialogue in the Dark program co-hosted with Hiroshima City and Chugoku Shimbun as an 80th-anniversary project for the atomic bombing.
## Background of the Video Release
On August 6, 1945, in Hiroshima, many bankbooks and seals were lost due to the atomic bomb's blast and fires. The Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch, located 380 meters from the hypocenter, reopened for business on August 8, two days after the bombing. It lent its counters to 12 private banks and other institutions, resuming deposit withdrawal services for people without passbooks or seals. The severely injured branch manager, Chiemaru Yoshikawa, reportedly stated, "I will take all responsibility," as he handled the situation. Subsequent verification revealed that the declared amounts largely matched the actual balances.
"People are trustworthy no matter the circumstances."
This anecdote was passed down through generations as the "Miracle of the Bank of Japan" and was also applied during the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995 and the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.
In August 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, Dialogue Japan Society held "Peace in the Dark @ Hiroshima" at the former Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch, where this event took place. It was an immersive event to experience peace and trust in complete darkness. At the end of this experience, an "Uncovered Donation Box" was set up. It was placed in a location freely accessible to anyone, open without a lid or lock.
As a result, 96% of participants responded that their "sense of trust in people increased." Donations reached 196,496 yen, and no money was taken from the box during its installation period. The event was held to full capacity, and the donations are being used to support children in Gaza.
Amid ongoing wars and conflicts worldwide, this initiative demonstrates the episode of trust born in Hiroshima 80 years ago and how its spirit continues to be carried forward today. Aiming to reach the world, the video was released on the "International Day of Conscience" (April 5), designated by the United Nations.
## Message Contained in the Video
In 1945, in the burnt-out ruins where everything was lost, people were honest. In 2025, from an open donation box placed where anyone could reach it, no one tried to take anything.
What was proven across 80 years was one consistent truth: Human conscience is never lost, no matter the circumstances.
This anecdote from 80 years ago is being passed down to modern Japan, connecting to future hopes. The "Uncovered Donation Box" is a project that conveys peace and trust to the next generation. The video ends with the question: "We will trust people more."
Dialogue Japan Society will continue to broadly disseminate the value of peace and trust to society through dialogue, aiming to form and develop a richer society.
## Background of the Video Release
On August 6, 1945, in Hiroshima, many bankbooks and seals were lost due to the atomic bomb's blast and fires. The Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch, located 380 meters from the hypocenter, reopened for business on August 8, two days after the bombing. It lent its counters to 12 private banks and other institutions, resuming deposit withdrawal services for people without passbooks or seals. The severely injured branch manager, Chiemaru Yoshikawa, reportedly stated, "I will take all responsibility," as he handled the situation. Subsequent verification revealed that the declared amounts largely matched the actual balances.
"People are trustworthy no matter the circumstances."
This anecdote was passed down through generations as the "Miracle of the Bank of Japan" and was also applied during the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995 and the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.
In August 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, Dialogue Japan Society held "Peace in the Dark @ Hiroshima" at the former Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch, where this event took place. It was an immersive event to experience peace and trust in complete darkness. At the end of this experience, an "Uncovered Donation Box" was set up. It was placed in a location freely accessible to anyone, open without a lid or lock.
As a result, 96% of participants responded that their "sense of trust in people increased." Donations reached 196,496 yen, and no money was taken from the box during its installation period. The event was held to full capacity, and the donations are being used to support children in Gaza.
Amid ongoing wars and conflicts worldwide, this initiative demonstrates the episode of trust born in Hiroshima 80 years ago and how its spirit continues to be carried forward today. Aiming to reach the world, the video was released on the "International Day of Conscience" (April 5), designated by the United Nations.
## Message Contained in the Video
In 1945, in the burnt-out ruins where everything was lost, people were honest. In 2025, from an open donation box placed where anyone could reach it, no one tried to take anything.
What was proven across 80 years was one consistent truth: Human conscience is never lost, no matter the circumstances.
This anecdote from 80 years ago is being passed down to modern Japan, connecting to future hopes. The "Uncovered Donation Box" is a project that conveys peace and trust to the next generation. The video ends with the question: "We will trust people more."
Dialogue Japan Society will continue to broadly disseminate the value of peace and trust to society through dialogue, aiming to form and develop a richer society.