Women members of Kyoto teachers' union hold 1,000th monthly '6th and 9th day of action'

Japan Press Weekly

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Women members of Kyoto teachers' union hold 1,000th monthly '6th and 9th day of action'

Women members of the Kyoto Prefectural Teachers' Union on June 6 held a rally to mark their 1,000th monthly "6th and 9th day of action" calling for the relief of atomic bomb survivors (Hibakusha) and the abolition of nuclear weapons. About 80 union members took part in the event.

The monthly action takes place at Kiyomizu-dera, a Buddhist temple known throughout Japan for the grand views afforded from its main hall, located in eastern Kyoto and is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage site.

Referring to the preamble of the UNESCO Constitution that declares that "it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed", Kiyomizu-dera chief priest Mori Seihan in his speech said, "It is very impressive that your union's activity calling on tourists from around the world, as well as on Japanese children, to protect peace marks its 1,000th action. I hope that this activity will no longer be necessary in a future of peace."

Looking back on the first monthly "6th and 9th day of action" that was held on January 9, 1971, at Kiyomizu-dera, participants said, "At that time, we thought that the goal of abolishing nuclear weapons was difficult to reach, but now it seems to be realizable."

- Akahata, June 7, 2009