Hiroshima's 'Flame of the Atomic Bomb' Arrives at Pearl Harbor for the First Time; US-Japan Representatives Extinguish Flame for Peace

The 'Flame of the Atomic Bomb,' a symbol of Hiroshima's memory and prayers for peace, has crossed the ocean to reach Pearl Harbor in Hawaii for the first time. On the 24th (local time), representatives from Japan and the United States gathered at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial to extinguish the flame together and sign a peace document. Through this ceremony, they aimed to convey a message of reconciliation between the two nations and world peace, transcending the history of war. According to NHK, the event was organized by a Tokyo-based non-profit organization dedicated to peace movements, with approximately 270 people in attendance. The flame used at the venue was preserved at the 'Tower of Peace' in Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture. It was originally brought from Hiroshima by Tatsuo Yamamoto, a native of Yame, to commemorate his uncle who died in the atomic bombing, and has been burning ever since as a vital symbol of peace in Japan. During the ceremony, five representatives from Japan and the US, including descendants of those involved in the war, divided the flame into several lanterns and extinguished them together, symbolizing the closing of a chapter in history. They also signed a 'Spiritual End of War' declaration. Masahiro Sasaki, the director of the NPO, is the brother of Sadako Sasaki, the 12-year-old girl who died of leukemia and became the model for the 'Children's Peace Monument' in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. He noted that whenever people shout 'No more Hiroshima' or 'No more Nagasaki,' they sometimes hear the response 'Remember Pearl Harbor.' He expressed his hope that by extinguishing the flame together with smiles, they could take the first step toward eliminating historical resentment and moving toward peace. The ceremony also invited descendants of the leaders of Japan and the US at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack. Hidetoshi Tojo, the great-grandson of former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, said, 'I never thought this day would come, and I am truly grateful. While it may not be a major turning point, I hope we can continue to move forward together.' Clifton Truman Daniel, the grandson of former US President Harry S. Truman, who authorized the atomic bombings, stated that extinguishing the flame of hatred and continuing the flame of peace is a highly symbolic act. After the ceremony, the participants visited the USS Missouri Memorial, where they signed a peace document once again at the site where Japan signed the instrument of surrender in 1945. Daniel remarked that signing the document at the historic site allowed history to reconnect with Pearl Harbor, a deeply moving moment. Tojo also expressed his hope that this would prove that even former enemies can truly understand each other. Sasaki appealed to the world, stating that as conflicts continue globally, 'Peace can only come when we realize that war must stop. Weapons cannot break the human spirit, and I sincerely hope for the day when the whole world pursues peace together.'