G7 Hiroshima Summit Commemorative Gallery: List of Panel

Thank you for visiting the G7 Hiroshima Summit Commemorative Gallery.

The G7 Hiroshima Summit was held in Hiroshima, a city that recovered from the destruction of the atomic bombing. The Summit came at a time when an increasingly tense situation in Ukraine brought heightened concerns over nuclear weapon use, and fear that this may pose a threat to the survival of all mankind spread across the globe.

Held over the course of three days from May 19 to 21, 2023, this was the first G7 Summit to be held in an atomic-bombed city. World leaders gathered in Hiroshima and engaged in earnest dialogue. They learned the realities of the atomic bombing right here in Peace Memorial Park and left powerful messages of peace. The Summit was also an opportunity to show the world the beauty and charms of Hiroshima. Examples include the G7 leaders’ visit to Miyajima, and the exhibitions and hands-on events held at the International Media Center (IMC) where both domestic and international members of the press were headquartered. Young people also played active roles in many Summit-related events, serving as student volunteers and more.

This Commemorative Gallery hopes to provide visitors the opportunity to reflect on the G7 Hiroshima Summit. Here, you will find exhibits such as the Peace Memorial Museum guestbook signed by G7 leaders, the actual roundtable and chairs used during the Summit, and much more. The gallery also features information about the leaders’ programs, partners’ programs, and the IMC, as well as the roles that young people-future world leaders-played.

It is our hope that you will enjoy taking a look back at the G7 Hiroshima Summit.

Citizens Council for the Hiroshima Summit

May 2024

What is the Citizens Council for the Hiroshima Summit?

The Council, of which purpose is to ensure the success of the G7 Hiroshima Summit, was formed with public and private sector members to welcome and offer warm hospitality to visitors. The Council also aims to vitalize Hiroshima Prefecture through implementing various Summit-related projects.

The G7 Summit is an annual international conference attended by the seven countries of France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada (in order of the G7 presidency), as well as the leaders of the European Union (EU). The abbreviation “G7” refers to the Group of Seven, a collective term for the seven countries participating in the summit meeting. The meeting is called a “summit” as it is a conference of top-level officials.

At the Summit, the leaders of the G7, who share the same fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and human rights, exchange candid views on important challenges facing the international community, such as the global economy, regional affairs, and various global issues, and issue a document on the outcome of their discussions.

In the face of the many challenges of the 1970s, such as Nixon shock and the first oil crisis, developed countries recognized the need to create a forum for discussion at the head-of-state level. It was against this backdrop that the first Summit was held in November 1975 at the Chateau de Rambouillet (located in the outskirts of Paris) with participation from six countries: France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Italy. Ever since, Summits have been held annually with revolving presidency, and the G7 Summit in 2023 was the seventh Summit hosted by Japan.

Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan

H.E. Mr. Emmanuel MACRON, President of the French Republic

The Honorable Joseph Robinette BIDEN, Jr., President of the United States of America

The Right Honourable Rishi SUNAK MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

H.E. Mr. Olaf SCHOLZ, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany

H.E. Ms. Giorgia MELONI, President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic

The Right Honourable Justin TRUDEAU, Prime Minister of Canada

H.E. Mr. Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council

H.E. Dr. Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission

The Hon. Anthony ALBANESE, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia

H.E. Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil

H.E. Mr. AZALI Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros (African Union Chair)

Honourable Mark BROWN, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands (Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Chair)

H.E. Mr. Narendra MODI, Prime Minister of the Republic of India (G20 Presidency)

H.E. Mr. JOKO Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia (ASEAN Chair)

H.E. Mr. YOON Suk Yeol, President of the Republic of Korea

H.E. Mr. PHAM Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

H.E. Mr. António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations

Dr. Fatih BIROL, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency

H.E. Dr. Kristalina GEORGIEVA, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund

H.E. Mr. Mathias CORMANN, Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

Mr. David R. MALPASS, President, the World Bank

H.E. Dr. Tedros Adhanom, Director-General of the World Health Organization（*Virtual participation）

H.E. Dr. Ngozi OKONJO-IWEALA, Director-General, the World Trade Organization

H.E. Mr. Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine

On May 19, Prime Minister Kishida and his spouse, Mrs. Kishida, welcomed the G7 leaders and their spouses at Peace Memorial Park (Naka-ku, Hiroshima City). The leaders then visited Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum together and spoke with a (atomic bomb survivor) before leaving their names and messages in the guestbook at the end of their visit.

Afterwards, Hiroshima Prefecture governor Mr. YUZAKI Hidehiko and Hiroshima City mayor Mr. MATSUI Kazumi escorted the G7 leaders to Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims (Memorial Monument for Hiroshima,

City of Peace) where they offered wreathes and paid their respects. After a moment of silence, the G7 leaders planted a commemorative tree in the park.

On the first day of the Summit, discussions were held at the Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima on the theme “Toward an International Community Characterized by Cooperation, not Division and Confrontation/Global Economy” (Session 1: Working Lunch), as well as “Ukraine” (Session 2).

Afterwards, the leaders traveled to Miyajima Island (Hatsukaichi City) on Sea Spica, a high-speed yacht. They visited the Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Chief Priest Mr. NOZAKA Motoaki explained the history and details of the shrine. Following their visit to the shrine, the leaders held Session 3 (Working Dinner) “Foreign and Security Policy” at Iwaso, a traditional Japanese inn.

Both the working lunch and dinner featured a variety of dishes that made abundant use of locally-sourced ingredients and alcoholic beverages from across Hiroshima Prefecture.

On the morning of the second day, the G7 leaders attended Session 4 “Strengthening Engagement with Partners (Global South, G20)” and Session 5 (Working Lunch) “Economic Resilience and Economic Security.”

In the afternoon, Session 6 “Working Together to Address Multiple Crises” and Session 7 “Common Endeavor for a Resilient and Sustainable Planet” were held. The G7 leaders, together with the leaders of eight invited countries (Australia, Brazil, the Comoros, the Cook Islands, India, Indonesia, South Korea, and Viet Nam) and seven invited international organizations (the United Nations, the International Energy Agency, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the World Bank, the World Health Organization, and the World Trade Organization) discussed a range of issues.

After the session, Prime Minister Kishida and his spouse Mrs. Kishida hosted a social dinner for the leaders of G7, the invited countries, the heads of international organizations, and their spouses as part of their hospitality. The dinner also featured a demonstration of Hiroshima Kagura performance that expressed prayers for world prosperity and peace. In addition, they offered a variety of Japanese and Western dishes that made full use of ingredients from across Japan, along with Japanese sake and Japanese wine produced locally and in other areas.

The Partners’ Program provided spouses visiting Japan with the leaders of G7 and invited countries an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Japan’s traditions and culture, speak with young people who will lead the next generation, and released a joint appeal for peace.

On the first day, the G7 leaders’ spouses visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and spoke with a before offering flowers and paying their respects at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims. After the visit to Peace Memorial Park, they attended a lunch hosted by the spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan held at Ueda Soko Ryu Wafudo (Nishi-ku, Hiroshima City). Afterwards, the G7 leaders’ spouses experienced a traditional kodo incense ceremony, as well as a tea ceremony before participating in the Next-Generation Symposium held at Orizuru Tower (Naka-ku, Hiroshima City), where approximately 100 students from Hiroshima Prefecture gathered to discuss peacebuilding.

On the second day, the G7 leaders’ spouses visited Itsukushima Shrine and watched a traditional Japanese dance performance. For lunch, in addition to a demonstration of preparation, they were treated to dishes featuring local ingredients served by student volunteers.

On the final day, the spouses of leaders of the invited countries visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and spoke with a before offering flowers and paying their respects at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims.

After their visit to Peace Memorial Park, the spouses of leaders of G7 and the invited countries visited the Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum and Shukkeien Garden (both in Naka-ku, Hiroshima City).

At the museum, the group was given a tour of works by Ms. OKUDA Sayume, a doll artist from Miyoshi City (Hiroshima Prefecture) by the artist herself. Afterwards, they visited Shukkeien Garden, where they enjoyed maki-e lacquer painting and other activities.

At the G7 Hiroshima Summit, the leaders of state and other guests visited Peace Memorial Park. The G7 leaders and their spouses visited the park on the first day of the Summit, and the leaders of the invited countries and heads of the international organizations, spouses of leaders of the invited countries, and one guest leader visited the park on the final day. While there, they visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and offered flowers and paid their respects at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims. Moreover, G7 leaders planted a cherry tree (Somei-Yoshino) in the park with the help of students from Hiroshima Municipal Funairi High School.

Mayor of Hiroshima Matsui spoke with leaders about the essence of the Spirit of Hiroshima, stating that those affected by wars or conflicts tend to be controlled by their hatred or will for vengeance toward the perpetrator; however, in the spirit that “no one else should suffer as we have,” (atomic bomb survivors) endured their past grief and overcame hatred, yearning instead for the peaceful coexistence and prosperity of all humanity. He also spoke of the Atomic Bomb Dome as a silent witness that conveys the atrocities of the bombing. To preserve the Dome as a symbol of our pledge for nuclear weapons abolition and lasting world peace, the City of Hiroshima is working to pass it on in its entirety to the next generation.

In October 2023, a planting ceremony was held at the event square of the Site of the Former Municipal Baseball Stadium(Naka-ku,Hiroshima City), attended by Mrs. Kishida Yuko, spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan. During the ceremony, a cherry tree (Somei-Yoshino) was planted to commemorate the G7 Hiroshima Summit Partners’ Program.

​H.E. Mr. Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council

An immense tragedy took place here almost 80 years ago. It reminds us what we -as G7- are defending. And why we are defending it. Peace and freedom. Because it's what all human beings want most.

Food and alcoholic beverages produced in Hiroshima Prefecture were provided in abundance at the Working Lunch, Working Dinner, and Dinner and Social Event of the G7 Hiroshima Summit.

The Partners’ Program also provided an oppontunity for the spouses to experience the culinary charms of Hiroshima.

https://www.pref.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/hiroshima-summit-en/local-products.html

The Citizens Council for the Hiroshima Summit and the City of Hiroshima, the host city of the Summit, presented gifts related to Hiroshima Prefecture and the City in order to welcome the leaders of G7 and invited countries and the heads of international organizations, as well as to disseminate the charms of Hiroshima. The gifts were selected from the perspective of “being able to feel the history, culture and traditions of Hiroshima Prefecture” and “taking into account the concept of the SDGs.

Hiroshima lacquerware (Drinking vessels)

Hiroshima lacquerware work produced utilizing the lacquer painting techniques of the traditional crafts of Hiroshima Buddhist altars.

Mr. TAKAYAMA Naoya, the artist of this work, is highly regarded for his technical skills and originality.

The shape represents a dove, a symbol of peace, while the color represents the Seto Inland Sea. He produced this work in the hope that world peace could be achieved if the world’s leaders talked with one another over sake.

Ceramic work (Flower vase)

Mr. IMAI Masayuki, the artist of this work, contributed to the improvement and development of Japanese culture by developing the craft technique “Zogan” into “Menzogan,” in which different colored clays are inlaid on a large surface. Mr. Imai created many works with motifs of creatures of the Seto Inland Sea, as well as works that embody a wish for peace.

Using the prawn, which is a symbol of longevity in Japan, as a motif, Mr. Imai produced this work with his earnest wish that the world’s leaders would strive together to build world peace and preserve the global environment.

Gift from the Citizens Council for the Hiroshima Summit to the leaders of invited countries and the heads of invited international organizations

The International Media Center (IMC), equipped with media workstations, was established at the Hiroshima Prefectural Sports Center and the surrounding area as a comprehensive facility for media personnel covering the Summit.

The Exhibition of Hiroshima was held at the IMC to share the charms of Hiroshima and the peace initiatives with members of the press who visited the prefecture from both inside and outside Japan, thereby, through them, disseminating information about Hiroshima to people around the world.

The Exhibition of Hiroshima divided into the five themes of “The Traditional Crafts of Hiroshima,” “Heart of Hiroshima,” “The Technology of Hiroshima,” “Environment of Hiroshima,” and “The Food and Sake of Hiroshima,” and featured physical exhibits and videos. The charms of Hiroshima were also disseminated through PR booths introducing each of the 23 cities and towns in Hiroshima Prefecture, food and drink sampling booths, an experience corner, and stage performances. In addition, materials that convey the realities of the atomic bombing were also displayed at a dedicated booth. During the event, a total of 50,327 people (including 4,967 foreigners) visited the Exhibition of Hiroshima and enjoyed the diverse charms of Hiroshima.

Please check the URL code to see the exhibition information.

https://www.pref.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/hiroshima-summit-en/exhibition.html

From Here to the World, From Here to the Future is the catchphrase that was created for the G7 Hiroshima Summit logo by local highschool students at the request of the Citizens Council. The meaning behind the catchphrase is sending message of peace from Hiroshima to the world (from here to the world) and carrying the results from the Summit into the future by the leaders of tomorrow, our young people (from here to the future).

Young people played a crucial role at the G7 Hiroshima Summit in so many ways. They served as student volunteer transportation guides for the duration of the Summit and interpreted at related events, in addition to creating the Summit logo. Many of these young people have gone on to participate in volunteer activities and international events because of their experience during the Summit.

The various international issues discussed at the Summit are not just issues facing global leaders of state: they are issues that face us all. If everyone, including young people who will lead the future, can look at these issues as their own and take action to solve them, that will be the first step in resolving global issues.

It is our hope that what you saw and experienced here today will inspire you to reflect on what you can do to help.

Citizens Council for the Hiroshima Summit

May 2024