2024 BzCom SIG Year-End Forum
2024 BzCom SIG Year-End Forum
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Bridging the Divide: Exploring the Power of Communication –
Bridging the Divide: Exploring the Power of Communication –
Venue： Online via Zoom
Date: Dec. 27, 2024 Time: 18:00
Register: fill out the form (参加申込)
This year's BzCom SIG Year-end Forum will focus on the transformative power of communication to bridge former adversaries. The forum will delve into the intricate relationship between John Hersey, the American journalist and author of Hiroshima, and Kiyoshi Tanimoto, the Japanese pastor who facilitated Hersey’s groundbreaking narrative by connecting him with Hiroshima survivors. The event will also feature Koko Kondo, an atomic bomb survivor, social activist, and the daughter of Pastor Tanimoto, offering her unique perspective on these historical events.
The forum will explore themes of communication, including the pivotal roles of translators and interpreters, and the essence of journalism in conveying inconvenient truths. In an era shaped by social media and rapid information dissemination, the discussion will reflect on the responsibilities and challenges of sharing critical information.
Against the backdrop of ongoing global conflicts and the persistent threat of nuclear weapons—emphasized by this year’s Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Japanese Association of Victims of Atomic Bombs—this forum invites participants to reflect on the enduring power of communication, the moral obligations of journalism, and the global quest for peace.
To attend the forum, please click the link and fill out the form: forms.gle/reFmujm9ZhdTSJ6Z8 https://forms.gle/reFmujm9ZhdTSJ6Z8
Koko Tanimoto Kondo (née Koko Kondo, Kondō Kōko), born November 20, 1944, is a renowned atomic bomb survivor, peace activist, and the eldest child of Kiyoshi Tanimoto, a Methodist minister known for his advocacy for the Hiroshima Maidens.
In 1955, Kondo and her family unwittingly appeared on the American television program This Is Your Life, where she had a poignant encounter with Captain Robert A. Lewis, the copilot of the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. This moment solidified her lifelong commitment to promoting peace and reconciliation.
A graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., Kondo frequently accompanies students, particularly Americans, on peace study tours in Japan, focusing on the impact of the atomic bomb. She has also extended her peace advocacy to global conflict zones such as Iraq.
While living in the United States, Kondo was mentored by Nobel laureate Pearl S. Buck, whose influence inspired her efforts in supporting Japanese orphans. In recognition of her contributions to peace and education, Kondo received an honorary degree from Webster University in 2014. Her tireless work continues to bridge cultures and advocate for a world free of nuclear weapons.
“Hiroshima (1946)” by John Hersey recounts the experiences of six survivors of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Originally published as a single issue of The New Yorker, it was later released as a book that became a landmark in New Journalism. The work describes the devastating aftermath of the bombing with meticulous detail, highlighting the human cost of nuclear warfare. Its plain, restrained style amplifies the horror of the events while focusing on the resilience of the survivors. Hiroshima has remained in print since its publication, shaping public perception of nuclear weapons and war.
Venue： Online via Zoom
Date: Dec. 27, 2024 Time: 18:00
Contact: bizcom@jalt.org
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