On September 21, 2025, the “International Day of Peace Bell-Ringing Ceremony” was solemnly held at Daihonzan Gokoku-ji Temple in Tokyo. This annual event, aligned with the UN General Assembly’s designation of September 21 as the International Day of Peace, carried special significance as it coincided with the 80th anniversary of the UN’s founding. Participants included members of the Diet, the Governor of Tokyo, former Diet members, the Japan Committee for the International Day of Peace, religious leaders, and ambassadors and diplomats from numerous countries. Following a Buddhist service, the bell was struck at noon, resounding as a prayer for peace. Afterward, attendees gathered in the historic Gekkōden Hall, where guest speeches and exchanges underscored the importance of solidarity for peace.
In his guest address, Chair Sukehiro Hasegawa expressed gratitude to Gokoku-ji and mourned Grand Tea Master Sen Genshitsu, noting that the UN Association of Japan will carry on his legacy under President Yasushi Akashi. He stressed that “prayer for peace is a driving force for action” and called for concrete steps to realize peace. Highlighting Governor Yuriko Koike’s visit to New York to convey Tokyo’s intent to host a UN entity, he praised it as a strong show of resolve. He urged scaling up the ceremony with a bold vision so the bell’s sound spreads from Japan to the world, turning prayers into action.
For the full speeches and details of the ceremony, please see here.
(Reported by Koki IMON)