Article 9 of the Japanese
 Peace Constitution and Peace
 in Asia -Prayer from Okinawa
 憲法９条とアジアの平和　
　ー　沖縄からの祈り　ー
The 7th Global lnter-Religious Conference on Article 9  
of the Japanese Peace Constitution

Shared Service of Peace – Opening Remarks

ISHIHARA Shin, Pastor, Yokatsu Baptist Church
 
Greetings!
Welcome to everyone. We would like to thank you for participating in “The 10thShared Service of Peace – ‘Remembering Okinawa’s Chimugurisanu Memorial Day.’” This service is hosted by the Peace & Society Committee of the Okinawa BaptistConvention’s Missions Board.

We had originally planned to hold the Shared Service of Peace on June 23, the dayOkinawa remembers the victims of the Battle of Okinawa. However, with thespreading of the novel coronavirus, we were forced to cancel the June event. Multiplediscussions over how we could hold the service led the Peace & Society Committee tothis method of broadcasting video over the internet.

This was completely unimaginable to us. But, the result is that on this momentousThis was completely unimaginable to us. But, the result is that on this momentous75th year after the Battle, in our first such effort, we have also been able to leave bothas a video and as an historical record, the recitation drama “The Battle of Okinawa:Having Survived the ‘Forced Mass Deaths’ on Tokashiki Island.” Isn’t this also themercy of the Lord? This recitation drama is based on the lived experience of ReverendKINJŌ Shigeaki of the United Church of Christ Japan. He even kindly looked overthe script midway through its creation. The entire Peace & Society Committee wouldlike to take this opportunity to whole-heartedly thank Reverend Kinjō for agreeing tohave his life experience arranged into this format.

We say, “75 years after the Battle.” However, it is a fact that here in Okinawa evennow we are in a situation that cannot be called postwar. Even today, Henoko’s bluesea is being filled in. Even today, military aircraft seem to endlessly fly over our lives– we, the residents of Okinawa. And there is no end to incidents and accidents bymilitary personnel and civilian employees. Every day, our lives are threatened.

Here, once again, we will listen to people’s voices, look back on history, and listenHere, once again, we will listen to people’s voices, look back on history, and listencarefully to what the Bible, the Word of God, says. And we hope that this effort willhelp to build peace.

And now, the recitation drama, “The Battle of Okinawa: Having Survived the ‘ForcedMass Deaths’ on Tokashiki Island.” This drama is a battlefield testimony writtenfrom the war experience of Reverend KINJŌ Shigeaki.

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