OIU students helped manage "Lights For Peace", an event to wish for world peace on March 1st at Okahigashi Central Park next to the City Hall, to meet the needs of Hirakata City Hall, as they did last year.

Members of the Volunteer Group and the Hirakata Smile Project participated.

Before The World WarⅡ, about 7,000 people died or were injured by the explosion of the Japanese Army's powder magazine in Kinya, Hirakata City, then in 1989 they decided to call that day as "The Day for Peace in Hirakata City." One year has passed since the Northeast Japan Earthquake and Tsunami occurred, so in order to mourn for the victims, they sent 1,000 candles to Tomioka-cho, Fukushima Pref.

In cooperation with volunteer citizens, OIU students took half a day to finish arranging 7,000 candles on which messages for peace were written to make letters "The Day for Peace in Hirakata City" and draw the pictures of "Hirarion" and doves. After that, people from Fukushima reported on their present situation, and then they rang Hirarion's Bell and about 1,500 citizens offered a silent prayer.

Mr. Osamu Takeuchi, the mayor of Hirakata City showed his appreciation for the students' help. The students said, "We should face world and local problems of disaster, poverty, war and etc. as our own problems, and we would like to consider what we can do for eternal world peace and take action."


This candle service means "We should always appreciate and pray for everything." The beautiful lights reflected on "Hirarion," the momument for peace placed at the park, and as if they hoped that the prayer for peace and the appreciation for the supporting people will spread.

members of the Hirakata Smile Project,		members of the Volunteer Group

The ring of "Hirarion", the momument for peace		dove