Join us Friday, Sept. 30, for a dedication ceremony for a new Japanese bell tower to house the Peace Bell, which was given to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in 1985 by the Japanese community to celebrate Japanese-American friendship and President Carter’s efforts to strengthen relations between the two countries.
The event will play below from 4–5:30 p.m. ET.
About the Bell:
The Japanese Peace Bell was created in 1820 and weighs over 500 pounds. It hung in a temple in Konu, Hiroshima, Japan, until World War II, when the Japanese government removed most of the nation’s temple bells, including this one, to melt down for use in weapons. The bell managed to escape that fate and now serves as a symbol of peace at The Carter Center.
About the Tower:
The tower was constructed over the summer under the supervision of Japanese carpenters from the town of Konu. It is an exact replica of the bell tower in Konu, where there is now a replica of the Center’s Peace Bell. President Carter visited Konu to see its new bell in 1990.
Featured Speakers Include:
Paige Alexander, Carter Center CEO; Jason Carter, chair of the Center’s Board of Trustees; Kazuyuki Takeuchi, Consul General of Japan; Satoshi Fukuoka, mayor of Miyoshi (the city that includes the town of Konu); Takuya Takahashi, chief executive director of the Japan External Trade Organization - Atlanta Office; Jessica Cork, chair of the Japan-America Society of Georgia; Yoshi Domoto, executive director of the Japan-America Society of Georgia; Kiyo Kojima, Acting Chair, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia.
Ceremony:
The event will feature a traditional Buddhist ceremony that is performed at the opening of a new temple and a ceremonial ringing of the bell.
Please sign up below for important news about the work of The Carter Center and special event invitations.
