Despite rainy skies, nearly 400 youth joined a peace walk through central Osaka on Saturday to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace.
Hosted by the Kobe branch of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), the event was held under the slogan: “We Are Peacemakers. Let’s Walk Together!” Participants walked approximately 3 kilometers from Utsubo Park to Motomachinaka Park, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of peace through community engagement and youth-led action.
The walk began with a “Peace Fan-Making” activity at Utsubo Park. As rain began to fall, participants continued on undeterred, united in their commitment to promoting peace through action rather than words.
HWPL youth members, many of whom have been involved in peace-building efforts for years, said they were determined to share their message with the local community.
Among the attendees was Osaka Sayama City Council member Koshiba Hidetoshi, who said the event left a lasting impression.
“I’ve always been interested in peace, but through this event, I became more curious about HWPL and their work,” Koshiba said. “Seeing members continue the peace walk sincerely, even in the rain, made me want to support their efforts.”
The walk followed Midosuji Street, one of Osaka’s most iconic thoroughfares. Organizers said the visibility of the march, combined with the enthusiasm of youth volunteers, offered a powerful message to passersby about the potential of community-driven peace initiatives.
HWPL’s Kobe branch announced plans to continue organizing similar events in cities across Japan as part of its ongoing peace campaign.
