Anti-nuclear peace march starts

The annual nationwide peace march calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons started on May 6.

In Tokyo, holding pictures of atomic-bomb survivors (Hibakusha) and banners reading, "Defend the Constitution!", more than 600 workers, peace group members, and Hibakusha assembled in front of the museum of the Lucky Dragon #5, a tuna fishing boat damaged by a U.S. hydrogen bomb test explosion at Bikini Atoll in 1954, to make a start of the march on the Tokyo-Hiroshima course.

In order to encourage other young people to take part in the march, young participants made their own marching procession and caught the attention of passers-by as they were chanting and singing peace songs.

Speaking at a rally before starting the march, Kawai Tomoyasu, 2004 National Peace March Organizing Committee member, called on the participants to increase public support for the signature collection campaign "Abolish Nuclear Weapons Now!".

This 3-month march covers all 47 prefectures in 11 different courses heading for Hiroshima. (end)