Today, we’ve launched “EARTH Hiroshima,” the peace brand from Hiroshima to the world.

Hiroshima-based manufacturers and creators collaborate to make goods wishing for peace and deliver them to the world.

Looking back across 20 years at my own past.

On August 6th, as I visited Peace Memorial Park for work, this feeling came to mind. Actually it was my first time to visit Peace Park on this special day, despite being a second generation Hibakusha (A-bomb survivor).

From early in the morning, the park was filled with the smell of incense. People in black offered prayers for the victims.As soon as I entered the park, I had a sober feeling, and felt the tension with my whole body.

But when I set foot out of the park, I was in the usual bustle of the city.

Young people joking around, people hurrying past or shopping as if nothing were happening.

I felt there was an invisible barrier between them. And I understood both sides.

I stood there on the border, looking at both sides.

“In the future, I want to find a way to connect both sides.”

At the time, I couldn’t even imagine how to do this. But afterward, this thought was always in my mind.

I knew it was impossible to realize world peace instantly. But I should do whatever I could.

That’s what I decided, and I’ve been creating “something it would be nice if I had” through my work for 15 years.

Over those years, I’ve met many talented creators. I made connections with manufacturers with excellent technology.

That thought 20 years ago, and my 15 years of work, finally connected and my dream was realized in the shape of Hiroshima’s new brand.

We have just taken one step and there aren’t so many items. But we’ll boost the number of collaborating companies and creators and accelerate product development, so that our brand will soon be widely known as Hiroshima’s Peace brand.

And as the internationally recognized peace brand, we’d like contribute to society through this project in order to bring smiles to as many people as possible.

And now, I’m so moved and feel thankful that I could take such a step.

I’d like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has cooperated with us.

 

Chizuru Gorai

President of SO@R Inc.