(July 22, '97)

The four journalists, participating the '97 Hiroshima Travel Grant, sponsored by the Hiroshima International Foundation (Chairman, Mr. Akira Yamamoto), paid respect at the Cenotaph in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Naka-Ward on July 21. They have started the 24-day program (July 21- August 13) to collect data on Hiroshima/Nagasaki peace issues.

The grantees for this year are; Mr. Prasad Krishna from Japan, a correspondent of the English magazine, Outlook; Mr. Kulcharee Tansubhapol from the Kingdom of Thailand, a staff of the English paper, Bangkok Post; Mr. John Manalastas from the Philippines, a staff reporter of the broadcasting company (TV and radio), GNA Network; Mr. Joseph Tagle from the Philippines, a cameraman of the GMA Network.

The journalists first presented a bouquet of flowers at the Cenotaph, following to the touring the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. By observing the pictures and artifacts for more than two hours, they took notes and studied the consequence caused by the atomic bombing, such as radiation heat.

Mr. Manalastas said, "Now I understand the atomic bomb is such a cruel weapon that makes people miserable. It was beyond my imagination. I shall broadcast the stories, which will hopefully be the opportunity to show the stupidity of war."

The journalists had a quick hands on interviewing the young people of the Anti-war group in the park, asking for signatures. They took pictures of the A-bomb Dome, which was designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site last December, in addition to the Children's peace monument.

On July 22, the Director of the Hiroshima Memorial Museum, Mr. Minoru Hataguchi will guide a tour in the museum for further explanation and they will be meeting a survivor of the bombing, Ms. Suzuko Numata who has been sharing her experience as a testimony.