On July 31, 2025 my wife and I had an amazing opportunity to travel to Japan for the International Trade Union Forum for Peaceful and Just World without Nuclear Weapons. At this International Solidarity conference, we met with several different trade Unions from around the globe including Zenroren — Japan, Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses (General Confederation of the Portuguese Workers, CGTP) — Portugal, Confédération Générale du Travail (General Confederation of Labor, CGT) — France, Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union (KPTU) — South Korea, and the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) — United States. While we were in Hiroshima for this conference we were invited to attend another conference, The World Conference Against A&H (Atomic & Hydrogen) Bombs, commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the atomic bombs being dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and Nagasaki August 9, 1945. I could not attend the ceremony in Nagasaki because of travel constraints but I did attend the ceremony in Hiroshima.
During the International Solidarity Conference, each union had the opportunity to speak on some of the issues they were facing in their own countries. Most had the same issues, such as government/company interference trying to drive out unions, shrinking the middle class, safety, and wages and other benefits issues. For example, Zenroren is fighting to get a 1500 yen ($10 US) minimum wage. And KPTU is on strike for improved working conditions. Listening to these groups I realized that we here at UE are not alone in our struggles. The solidarity felt with the other unions at this conference was reminiscent of that which we felt at our own National Convention recently in Chicago.
While attending The World Conference Against A&H Bombs, we met with many different social groups from across the world. Including Veterans for Peace from the United States and Jeremy Corbyn, a member of the parliament in the UK who has been fighting for social justice for almost 40 years. These are just a few of the many people we got to meet while there.
We were able to hear testimony from the Hibakusha from Japan, who are survivors of the atomic bombs who just won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024, and from Marshall Islands atomic bomb test survivors who now live on a concrete pad where the test had taken place. (They had to cover it with concrete to contain the radiation.) The last day of the conference we were able to attend a memorial ceremony at Memorial Park in Hiroshima, for the victims of the atomic bombs, where tens of thousands of people attended. There were many speakers, among which were government officials, Hibakusha, and social justice leaders. This was the most somber vigil that I have ever attended. It hit at the hearts of everyone present. The number of nuclear weapons in this world could wipe out every continent 100 times over; nine countries own those nuclear weapons and just two of them own 90 percent of them. Everyone has their opinion on why and how we have come to this state, but it is extremely frightening to think about what could happen in the future. One lesson I learned from the many speakers and the testimonial at this conference is that people do not fight wars, governments do.
The 10 days we spent attending conferences, meeting new unions and social groups and traveling for international solidarity was a chance of a lifetime that we will never forget. The opportunity for new experiences and education should never be passed up. I encourage anyone who is offered this opportunity to take it.