Day 4 Culture Seminars

Today was a little bit of back to the books! But, boy, was it awesome! It was another life-changing experience when I listened to a Hiroshima survivor tell his tale of August 6, 1945. At 90 years old Mr. Koji Ikeda spoke to us about surviving the A-bomb and encouraged us to join together as educators in preventing such an atrocity from happening again.
The seminar was about Peace Education and the power that teachers have in creating a safe living environment for everyone. Ms. Migawa Ishitani also spoke to us in leiu of her father who has become ill. She is the second generation of a surviving family member, and she made an emotional appeal for Americans to forgive the Japanese for their wrongdoings in the past. I don't think there was a dry eye in the room. How powerful for her, who wasn't even born to sit in front of us and apologize for her culture's history.
On another serious note, albeit a little bit lighter, we learned more about the role of women in Japanese society. Their status is improving from that of the traditional Geisha or housekeeper, but the improvements are slow and arduous. Serious impacts of these changes are also being seen in other areas of their culture. I found it amazing to learn that 60% of women my age are unmarried and choosing to place their careers first. However, the rate of women in managerial positions is also one of the lowest in the world.
Overall, it was a most amazing day. I'm not exactly sure how to describe being so humbled by these deeply genuine people and yet being so proud of the women who have paved the road for me, all in the course of one day. What an amazing range of emotions.
By the way, the artwork is from a display at the top of the city's viewing tower. The theme of all the artwork emphasized the role of the nuclear family in the lives of the students. I think it's fitting for today's sessions as well as my purpose here in Japan.