Kobe's Hibakusha aid campaign celebrates 36th anniversary

A fund-raising campaign for Hibakusha (A-bomb survivors) carried out by the Kobe Port Council against A and H Bombs (Gensuikyo) in downtown Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture has taken place more than 1,000 times and has collected nearly 10-million yen since the campaign started in 1966.

Conducted on the 6th and 9th of every month, the days of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, the "6 and 9" Action celebrated its 36th anniversary on December 6.

Kanda Takuo, founding chair of the Kobe Port Gensuikyo recalled, "We kicked off the action with 6 people and raised only 2,400 yen the first time."

In the action marking the 36th anniversary, 30 people from Kobe Port Gensuikyo as well as union representatives of dockworkers, checker', and customs officers took part.

Moved by the tenacious action even in the freezing winter or boiling summer, neighborhood shop owners nowadays chip into the action.

The total amount of contributions reached 9.3 million yen during 36 years.

Kanda said, "When we received a 10,000-yen note for the first time, we were so surprised that we ran after the donator to give him change."

At the end of each year, the collected donations together with fresh-pounded mochi (rice cake) are handed over to 200 Hibakusha living in Kobe.

After WWII, the U.S. forces occupied Kobe Port. The port was used as a supply base for the Korean War and Vietnam War. When Christmas came, downtown Kobe was full of U.S. soldiers. Crimes such as assaults on Kobe citizens, weapons smugglings, and the use of illegal drugs occurred frequently.

To regain a quiet Christmas, harbor workers and citizens of Kobe launched a special action on Christmas Day. The "Christmas Rally" developed into a struggle that removed the U.S. base from Kobe and established the "Nuclear-free Kobe Formula" blocking the entry of nuclear-armed warships into the port.

Secretary general of Hyogo Gensuikyo Kajimoto Shushi proudly says, "The 6 and 9 Action, Nuclear-free Kobe Formula, and Christmas Rally are three treasures of Kobe citizens." (end)