(August 4, 1999, The Chugoku Shimbun)

Heading for the A-bombed city, Hiroshima, marchers and pilgrims, who have been walking through various parts of the country calling on the elimination of nuclear weapons and the realization of peace, successfully reached their goal, the Peace Memorial Park located in the city's Naka-ward.

The National Grand Peace March Against A and H Bombs, started from Tokyo and Fuji, reached their goal in front of the A-bomb Memorial Museum around 12:30pm. About 350 participants prayed silently at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb victims. Yoshitaka Udo the director of Japan Council Against A and H Bombs said in his address, "Let us explore the peaceful 21st century without nuclear weapons." Karupara Paulos, the Indian General Secretary of Asia and the Pacific Christian Conference, told the participants, "I would like to apologize for India's nuclear testing last year. As an Indian citizen, I'll strive to realize the abolition of nuclear weapons."

One marcher, Tsutomu Nishizawa (age 65) who came from Hyogo prefecture, representing Gensuikyo (Japan Council Against A and H Bombs) said, "I was able to walk all the way to Hiroshima with the encouragement from people by the roadside."

A group of people participated in the "'99 Peace Prayer Pilgrimage" planned by the temple called Myohoji of Nichiren Sect (Shibuya-ward, Tokyo) also finished the course, which was about 1, 500 Km from Tokyo to Hiroshima, in 58 days.

Picture Caption: Participants of "Grand Peace March of Japanese Congress Against A and H bombs" arriving in the Peace Memorial Park.