ABSTRACT
In November 1994, while researching and thinking about this book, I happened to be strolling beside the canal in the Dutch resort of Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki Prefecture when I was accosted by a group of students from Gifu Girls’ Commercial High School. They were apparently seeking foreigners with whom to practice their English conversation, while at the same time, perhaps with some encouragement from their teacher, attempting to articulate some basic message about themselves and their country. The carefully prepared “Peace Message” card that they thrust into my hand contained the following simple, moving thoughts expressed in their own hands: I renounce the war because everyone wants to be happy. I am loving peace. Let’s stop the war and make a peaceful world. Japan is a peaceful country. But now there are little wars which I don’t know in the world somewhere. Let’s hand in hand in all [sic], and make the world peaceful.
