79th Commemoration of the Atomic Bombings of Nagasaki in Fresno
2024/8/13
Consul General Osumi addresses the audience
Group Photo
On Friday, August 9, the Human Rights Coalition of the Central Valley held a ceremony commemorating the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki at Shinzen Friendship Garden, Woodward Park, in Fresno. Consul General Yo Osumi, Honorary Consul of Japan in Fresno Joy Goto, and local community leaders attended the ceremony. The summary of Consul General’s remarks is as follows:
79 years ago today, an atomic bomb struck Nagasaki. It was only three days after another tragedy in Hiroshima. Last month I visited Nagasaki and last summer Hiroshima. During my visit to Hiroshima, I was deeply moved to see so many people from all over the world including the U.S. to wait in a long line to enter the Peace Memorial and to try to understand what truly happened 79 years ago.
Today, Hiroshima has sister city relationship with Honolulu and Nagasaki with St. Paul. Hiroshima is the No.1 prefecture of the origin of Japanese Americans. During the war, Japanese Americans were incarcerated, and this resulted in the dissolution of many Japantowns. However, today in Fresno, the Japanese American community is a proud part of the community. Japan and the U.S. have now become the strongest of allies, as demonstrated by the historic address to Congress in April by Prime Minister Kishida. He referred to Japan as “the United States’ closest friend”.
The Fresno-Kochi sister city partnership is another shining example of Japan-US ties at the grassroots level. As the Consulate General, we will strongly support their friendship.
From Fresno to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, from Kochi to Fresno, and between Japan and the United States, I believe reflecting upon the past, appreciating the present, and renewing our commitment to work together towards a better future are the best way to commemorate this solemn day.
79 years ago today, an atomic bomb struck Nagasaki. It was only three days after another tragedy in Hiroshima. Last month I visited Nagasaki and last summer Hiroshima. During my visit to Hiroshima, I was deeply moved to see so many people from all over the world including the U.S. to wait in a long line to enter the Peace Memorial and to try to understand what truly happened 79 years ago.
Today, Hiroshima has sister city relationship with Honolulu and Nagasaki with St. Paul. Hiroshima is the No.1 prefecture of the origin of Japanese Americans. During the war, Japanese Americans were incarcerated, and this resulted in the dissolution of many Japantowns. However, today in Fresno, the Japanese American community is a proud part of the community. Japan and the U.S. have now become the strongest of allies, as demonstrated by the historic address to Congress in April by Prime Minister Kishida. He referred to Japan as “the United States’ closest friend”.
The Fresno-Kochi sister city partnership is another shining example of Japan-US ties at the grassroots level. As the Consulate General, we will strongly support their friendship.
From Fresno to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, from Kochi to Fresno, and between Japan and the United States, I believe reflecting upon the past, appreciating the present, and renewing our commitment to work together towards a better future are the best way to commemorate this solemn day.
(L to R) Dr. Brian Tsukimura, President of Board of Directors of Shinzen Friendship Garden, Honorary Consul Goto and Consul General Osumi
