TorontoNAJC Update – September 2018
September 5, 2018
Hiroshima-Nagaski Day August 6th Toronto City Hall
On August 6, 2018 at City Hall in Toronto, the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day Coalition held its annual commemoration of the atomic bombing of those two cities in WW2. As in past years, TorontoNAJC is pleased to have supported the event with a grant. Other JC organizations supporting the event were the Hiroshima Kenjinkai and the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.
The Keynote speakers for this year’s program was Dr Ira Helfand, President of the International Association of Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War and Mrs Setsuko Thurlow of Toronto, a Hiroshima survivor who has dedicated her life to the campaign for a global ban of nuclear weapons.
Dr Helfand emphasized that the danger for use of nuclear weapons is greater today than ever before. He pointed to the recent threats and counter threats by United States and North Korea, the long standing open border conflict between India and Pakistan which could escalate into their use of nuclear weapons and the simmering relations between Iran [. . .] and Israel which could boil over at any time.
Earlier this year, Mrs Thurlow was chosen by International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons to accept the Nobel Peace Prize on their behalf in Sweden in recognition of her lifelong effort. Mrs Thurlow told the audience that wording for a treaty to abolish nuculear weapons had been finally achieved by 122 countries working under the auspicies of the United Nations in 2017;however, the treaty only comes into effect after 50 countries have signed their acceptance and passed domestic legislation to implement the treaty provisions in their countries. She emphasized that it was critically important that Canadians urge the federal government to sign the Treaty and to not let this opportunity to have a global treaty banning nuclear weapons pass by.
To date none of the countries who have nuclear weapons have signed the treaty. Interestingly, the government of Japan has indicated it would not sign the treaty as well. Prime minister Abe has publicly observed that not even one nuclear power has joined the Treaty because it was created without taking into account the (today’s) realities of security in reference to the recent actions by North Korea in successfully testing its missile capable of reaching Japan with nuclear bombs. He indicated that while Japan shares the same goal of eliminating nuclear weapons as the Treaty, he felt that nuclear powers should be reducing their arsenals of nuclear weapons for a nuclear-free world and that Japan will serve as an “intermediary” between nuclear powers and non nuclear states.
Momiji Health Care Society Celebrates its 40th Anniversary.
Momiji Health Care Society’s 40th Anniversary Gala was held August 25th at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. The Society is a non-profit charitable organization in Toronto to assist primarily Japanese Canadian seniors to live independently. For forty years the Society provided educational and other services individuals and a number of seniors homes with Japanese Canadians in Toronto.
The Gala launched Momiji’s Community Wellness Fund with a goal of raising three million dollars over three years to bolster and sustain programs and services at the Seniors’ Centre and seniors in the broader community. A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of a $500,000 donation to the fund by Marty Kobayashi on behalf of his late mother Mrs N Kobayashi who had bequeath the gift to Momiji. TorontoNAJC was pleased to participate in the Gala by displaying its “Japanese Canadian Interned and Displaced” photo exhibit which the chapter put together for the 75th Anniversary of JC Internment.
The average age of the 155 tenants of the Momiji Seniors’ Residence is 89 with the average move-in age of 85. The Momiji HCS opened the Momiji Residence 25 years ago and also provides services to Macassa Lodge in Hamilton, Yee Hong Centre for Geriatic Care in Scarborough and Castleview-Wychwood. Programs are available to the local community.
In addition to a wonderful dinner, the Gala had silent auction of sports memorabilia, works of art and beautiful Japanese articles. Entertainment was offered by Bruce Tatemichi and 100 Proof who provided a jazz background during the reception and Nagata Shachu group who performed a traditional Japanese street music and story-telling number during the banquet.
PHOTO Mrs Setsuko Thurlow, receiving the Nobel Prize in Stockholm Sweden on behalf of International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.