Atomic bombed Tree Project Starts!
■ Hi:)
Hello!
I’m Haruna, the digital media manager for the Silent Fallout Project.
I’ve been sending out our weekly updates for the past few weeks, but from now on, I’ll also be writing a few articles from my perspective.
■ A Meeting About Shipping in Matsuyama, Ehime Pref.
A few days ago, I visited Haruko-san’s home, who has supported this project for many years, and had a meeting about the shipping related to the screening event.
(⚠︎ Independent screenings are very active in Japan, where local organizers often request DVDs, physical fliers, and merchandise for their screening events. Therefore, the Japan team is required to work collaboratively through screening order confirmations and handle the shipping of the requested items.)
We are fortunate that there are many independent screenings, and since the project is funded by donations, the administrative work can be quite complex.
The office is managed by Kahoru, who lives in Saitama pref. and manages the project’s social media accounts.
To make remote work possible, we’ve incorporated Google Forms and electronic payments, with the actual shipping work being handled by the Ehime team. It’s a great example of teamwork!
The thank-you postcards and screening sets are being sent out by... of all people!!!
Junko-san and Keiko-san, sisters who were once my kindergarten students!
Junko-san and I connected as mothers raising children with hearing impairments, and through this connection, we have formed this team. I’m so grateful!
After the meeting, we enjoyed a blissful lunch of curry and salad, made by Haruko-san. It was absolutely delicious.
The project’s work is detailed and quite demanding, but we’re all working together as a team and giving our best.
Please continue to support us!
Now, let’s move on to the director’s article.
■ Nomination for Arms Control Person of the Year
The film Silent Fallout has been nominated for Arms Control Person of the Year 2024 as one of the nominated film directors.
Other nominees include the UN delegations of Ireland and New Zealand, 48 co-sponsoring countries, the editorial board of the New York Times Opinion section, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, the OPCW Technical Secretariat, and ten other individuals and organizations.
The Arms Control Person of the Year award recognizes those who advance reliable information and practical policy solutions to address the threats posed by the world’s most dangerous weapons.
Candidates are recognized for their efforts in promoting effective arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament solutions, as well as raising awareness of the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction.
Online voting will take place from December 13, 2024, to January 13, 2025.
Vote Here
■ The Atomic-bombed Tree Project Launches in 2024: 80 Years Since the Atomic Bomb
Next year marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bomb’s creation. To commemorate this, the Hibaku (Atomic-bombed) Tree Project has launched.
However, the full scope of what can be achieved is still unclear.
The project is being led by Masaji Ito, a Nihonga (Japanese painting) artist and a judge for the Nitten exhibition. Ito, who has previously painted Japan’s giant trees, is now taking on the challenge of painting Hiroshima’s hibaku (A-bombed) trees on eight sliding doors.
The paper used will be recycled from textile waste provided by the Circular Cotton Factory (CCF), an NPO led by Chieko Watanabe.
In modern society, the textile waste generated to protect brand images has become a significant environmental issue.
On December 3, I traveled to Hiroshima to sketch the hibaku trees.
These trees, which survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, continue to live on today.
I was guided by Kuniko Watanabe, known as “Nokuni-chan,” from ANT-Hiroshima.
It was only with Kuniko’s guidance that I first learned about hibaku trees.
However, I was shocked to discover that scientific research on hibaku trees is still very limited.
I am committed to helping advance research on this matter through the networks I am connected with.
