Inzai City, Chiba Prefecture Sends 18 Middle School Students to Hiroshima: Launching 'A Summer to Pass Peace to the Next Generation'

This year, Inzai City is launching a new peace education initiative by sending 18 middle school students from the city to Hiroshima. By visiting the actual site of the atomic bombing and engaging with the history of war and the atomic bombing, the city aims to deepen students' understanding of the value of peace and create opportunities for the next generation to reflect on it.

Additionally, on August 15, "Day for Mourning the War Dead and Praying for Peace," the city will hold the "Inzai City Peace Memorial Ceremony" and host an atomic bomb photo panel exhibition, among other initiatives, to pass on the memory of peace to future generations together with citizens.

Overview of the pre-departure briefing session for the peace delegation program

The first-ever "Middle School Student Delegation to Hiroshima" in Inzai City

Eighty years after the end of World War II, how to pass on the importance of peace from those who experienced war to the next generation has become a nationwide challenge.

This year, Inzai City is launching a new peace education initiative by sending 18 middle school students from the city to Hiroshima, the city devastated by the atomic bomb.

The participating students will spend three days from August 4 to 6, attending the Peace Memorial Ceremony and visiting the Peace Memorial Museum, among other activities, to learn about the history of war and the atomic bombing and the value of peace. By visiting the site in person, seeing, hearing, and feeling the reality firsthand, they will be given the opportunity to think independently about peace.

Prior to the delegation, a pre-departure briefing session was held on July 5.

The session included explanations about the program and schedule, as well as a lecture by Mr. Taro Hatokai, Vice Chairman of the Inzai City Bereaved Families Association.

The students deepened their understanding of the history of the Inzai region during wartime and prepared for their learning experience in Hiroshima.

Initiatives to Share Learning with the Community

The learning experience in Hiroshima does not end with on-site activities.

At the "Inzai City Peace Memorial Ceremony" held on August 15, the city plans to briefly report on the Hiroshima delegation to the citizens.

Furthermore, a Peace Learning Report Meeting is scheduled for October. Participating students will present in their own words what they learned and felt during their visit, sharing their experiences with schools, families, and the local community.

Inzai City values not only "learning" about peace but also "transmitting" it, aiming to pass on peace to the next generation.

Sharing Hiroshima's Lessons with Citizens: August 15 as a Day for the Entire Community to Reflect on Peace

On August 15, the "Day for Mourning the War Dead and Praying for Peace," Inzai City will hold the "Inzai City Peace Memorial Ceremony," expressing its wish for lasting world peace.

At noon, the city will observe a moment of silence to mourn those who died in the previous war and pray for enduring world peace. Following this, a bell-ringing ceremony open to citizens will be held, allowing each person to ring the bell with their own thoughts for peace.

The city also plans to briefly report on this year’s inaugural middle school student delegation to Hiroshima, sharing the students’ learning experiences with the citizens.

This day will serve as an opportunity for every citizen to reflect on peace, where prayer and learning intersect.

Display at the 1st-floor lobby of Inzai City Hall

The 'Inzai Peace Bell' by a National Living Treasure

The Inzai Peace Bell is a bell crafted by Masahiko Katori, a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (National Living Treasure), also known as the creator of the Hiroshima Peace Bell. It was made in memory of Inzai, the birthplace of his father, Hidemasa Katori, and completed before his passing. It was donated to the city by his family in February of Heisei 3 (1991). The Inzai Peace Bell, created by the same artist as the Hiroshima Peace Bell, is a valuable cultural asset inherited by Inzai City.

Atomic Bomb Photo Panel Exhibition

To convey the tragedy of war and the atomic bomb and to encourage reflection on peace, an atomic bomb photo panel exhibition will be held.

Through photographs and materials taken at the atomic-bombed cities, visitors can learn about the real impact of war and deepen their understanding of the value of peace.

Inzai City’s Unique Approach to Passing on Peace

The first-time implementation of the middle school student delegation to Hiroshima, the 'Inzai Peace Bell' by a National Living Treasure, and the atomic bomb photo panel exhibition.

Inzai City is advancing initiatives to pass on the memory of peace to the future by connecting "learning," "praying," and "transmitting."

Supporting children's learning as a whole community and passing that learning on to the next generation.

Inzai City will continue its efforts to pass on the value of peace and support the learning of children who will shape the future.

Outline of the 'Inzai City Peace Memorial Ceremony'

Date and Time: August 15, 2026 (Saturday), starting at noon ※Cancelled in case of bad weather Venue: Inzai City Cultural Hall

A bell-ringing ceremony open to the public will be held. Those wishing to participate in the bell-ringing should collect a numbered ticket at the entrance hall on the 1st floor of the Cultural Hall.

Ticket Distribution: From 11:30 a.m.

Atomic Bomb Photo Panel Exhibition

Dates: ① August 1, 2026 – August 16, 2026

② August 18, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – August 28, 2026, noon

Locations: ① Art Gallery, 1st Floor, Palette II, Cosmos Palette ② 1st-floor lobby, Main City Hall Building

Middle School Peace Learning Delegation Program

Delegation Period: August 4–6, 2026

Destination: Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture

Participants: 18 middle school students from Inzai City

Activities: Participation in the Peace Memorial Ceremony, visit to the Peace Memorial Museum, and others

Peace Learning Report Meeting: Scheduled for October (details to be announced later on the Inzai City website)

Inquiries

Administrative Reform Promotion Section, General Affairs Division, Inzai City, Chiba Prefecture TEL: 0476-33-4413