(Tokyo, Japan, 24 June 2002)- Japanese youth anti-landmine campaigners and the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize co-laureate International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) globally launched the Japanese Youth Action Forum website today at http://www.icbl.org/youth/jp
Designed, translated and maintained entirely by Japanese youth, this site is an example of the growing role youth are playing in the movement to ban antipersonnel mines.
Japanese university student Chie Kawakami started this innovative project. “People often show interest in global issues temporarily, says Kawakami, “but the issues are still there. Internet websites are a very good tool to provide information continuously. I hope this site will help people know about the issue and encourage them to take action.”
The Japanese Youth Action Forum includes:
· News about youth-related events;
· Information about the landmines issue and available resources;
· Information about taking action (coming soon);
· Online Youth Against War Treaty;
· Calendar of events and a mailing list.
Japanese youth campaigners are encouraging youth to visit the site and:
· Participate in the GOAL FOR ALL project by sending a message of peace to be displayed at the World Cup final soccer match in Tokyo, Japan. For more details please visit http://www.jca.apc.org/~banmines/· Sign the Youth Against War Treaty at http://www.icbl.org/youth/jp/yaw/ to encourage India and Pakistan to stop using mines!
In some countries up to one third of landmine victims are children. Young people in Japan and around the world, whether landmine survivors or concerned citizens, have been taking action to ensure that no more children fall prey to these insidious weapons. 
For more information please contact:
· Chie Kawakami, Japanese Youth Action Forum Coordinator at jp.youth@icbl.org
· Jackie Hansen, ICBL Project Officer at tel. +1 202 547 2667, youth@icbl.org
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