Author(s):
Site Admin <webmaster2SPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERicbl.org> Seiji Konno <landmineSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERaarjapan.gr.jp> .
Tuesday 18 September 2007
At the beginning of September, ICBL member Association for Aid and Relief Japan (AAR Japan), hosted a two-day Ban Landmines event at Roppongi Hills, Tokyo, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Mine Ban Treaty. More than 3,000 people participated in this event, which was covered by several media.
The programme included free performances by top musicians, who also conveyed messages to the audience.
Ms Atsuko Tenma. Photo: AAR Japan.
World-famous violinist, Ms.Atsuko Tenma, played a famous tune, “Balada” and sent a strong message to the audience from the stage: “At this moment, many people in the world are being injured by landmines. Please support mine action to save lives. Also please support people with disabilities. This is what we Japanese people can do.” In addition to that, several Japanese celebrities hosted small talk-shows about landmines. These shows allowed the audience to better understand the landmine issue.
Japanese children take part in workshops during the Ban Landmines event in Tokyo. Photo: AAR Japan.
AARJAPAN volunteers and staff hosted workshops as side events at Mori-Garden during the live performances. They hid several landmines in the hedges and asked participants to find them. Many children participated this workshop. Even though participants tried to find all the mines, they could not due to the invisibility of the mines. Some of them were hidden in the weeds; some of them were covered by leaves. AAR JAPAN staff explained how dangerous mine areas are marked, how landmines are used and how people are affected. Participants left messages includig: “I hope the world becomes peaceful”, “It was very difficult to find mines once they were hidden,” and “May all the mines disappear from the world!”
