Yumi Kikuchi’s Blog and Podcast

4th Global Alliance Summit for Ministries and Departments of Peace Communique

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:52:11 PDT

I am writing this on an airplane heading to Los Angeles from Costa Rica. We had our most successful Global Alliance summit ever and "We made a history today" as Dot Maver of the Peace Academy, USA said.

I am more than grateful to Rita Marie of the Rasur Foundation and all her amazing volunteer team and the Global Alliance summit members who made it all possible. My heart is filled with love and gratitude as I write this and the energy of love and gratitude will go a long way in helping me in my work to form a Ministry of Peace for Japan.

Thank you All!!

Below is the communique that was released on the final day.

COMMUNIQUÉ (PDF 279 KB)
September 21, 2009

4th Global Alliance Summit for Ministries and Departments of Peace
San Jose, Costa Rica, Sept. 17-21, 2009

The 4th Global Alliance (GA) Summit was a resounding success with 200 participants attending from more than 40 countries, enhanced by a live streaming video link to the world. The Summit was inspired by Costa Rica's declaration, earlier this month, of a Minister of Justice and Peace, making it the third country in the world to have such a Ministry. The President of Costa Rica, Dr. Oscar Arias, addressed the opening of the Summit, and told us that:

“The task is only just starting; the creation of a Ministry for Peace…is not the final achievement, merely the making of a road to achieve sustainable order that would allow resolution of human conflicts without violence.”

The mission of the GA is to support the establishment of Ministries and Departments of Peace in all nations. The Summit, in order to prepare itself to work with governments to build national infrastructures for peace, heard from experts in the fields of : Unarmed Civilian Peace Services and Youth Engagement in Peacebuilding; Academies for Peace, Restorative Justice Practices; Peace Economics; Innovation in the Use of Media; Nuclear and General Disarmament; Civil Society and Government Cooperation; and, Networking with the UN and Business.

The GA also established strategic direction and an action plan for its next phase and formed a dynamic Leadership Council, with membership from 6 continents, to carry its mission forward, partner with other international sister organizations and plan its next Summit.

Rita Marie Johnson of the Rasur Foundation in Costa Rica, Summit convener, summed up the achievement of the Summit, stating, “The GA members embodied peace as they took a quantum leap toward national peace infrastructures by presenting a detailed picture of hope for the world. We know what to do and we will do it – together in the name of peace.”

The Summit concluded with a determination to witness the formation of at least 2 more Ministries or Departments of Peace by the time of the next Summit to be held in 2011.

Contact: Milena Sanabria, Vice Minister of Justice and Peace

Email: milesanabria@gmail.com

www.gasummit.org

Be Peace Foundation Course in Costa Rica

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 07:59:58 PDT

I have just finished taking part in the Be Peace Foundation Course which took place from Sep 13 to the 17th in Costa Rica at the Rasur Foundation. The Be Peace Course is a combination of Heart Math principles and NVC (Non Violent Communication)

Check out photos from the event by clicking here. You can see how relaxed and happy everyone looks. It was an amazing course and I hope every child and adult will be able to take this course.

From tomorrow, the 4th Global Alliance Summit for Ministries and Departments of Peace will start. Currently delegations are arriving from all over the world....

On Sept 20, Sun, at 2:00-3:30 pm Costa Rica time, I am speaking about the role of the media in the peace movement. My talk is titled Be The MEDIA.

My talk will be streamed live so please spread the word and watch me online at http://www.gasummit.org. Please send your comments by e-mail, twitter, etc. For anyone living or visiting Japan, I would be so happy to connect with you!

Go Charlie, Go!

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:05:11 PDT

Charlie Sheen has produced an open letter to President Obama, a fictional 20 minute interview with the President, as well as a YouTube video. Here is the story:

Reported by Charlie Sheen
Prison Planet.com
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with our 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama, while he was out promoting his health care reform initiative. I requested 30 minutes given the scope and detail of my inquiry; they said I could have 20. Twenty minutes, 1200 seconds, not a lot of time to question the President about one of the most important events in our nation’s history. The following is a transcript of our remarkable discussion.

You can read the rest on the Prison Planet website.

Check him out on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyKR2-A0KPU

Today, I am having an event with Yu Tanaka, one of the most famous and popular environmental lecturers and speakers in Japan. He is rare person here in Japan who also supports the 911 truth movement. He understood the attacks on September 11 were a hoax after seeing the films 911 Plane Site and Loose Change. People like him who talk about 911 truth publicly is still rare in Japan.

Date & Time: Sep 11, 2009 6:30 open, 7:00pm starts 9:00pm ends
Place: LOFT PLUS ONE in Shinjuku, Kabukicho
Charge: 2500yen

I will be the first person speaking so do not be late if you are coming...

♪ International Conference against the Asia Pacific Missile Defense and for the End of the Arms Race ♪ - 21 min 30 sec - 5 MB

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:02:23 PDT

I had the privilege to translate and interpret for the Japanese delegates who participated in an International Conference against the Asia Pacific Missile Defense and for the End of the Arms Race held in Seoul, Korea. It was three full days of conferences and visits to military sites. I have learned A LOT. Seeing is believing.

The Asia Pacific Missile Defense budget is now eating up most of the money of the local defense programs. North Korea's satellite launch was used as a way to stifle our voices of concern but we have not been stopped.

I am learning many new things from Bruce Gagnnon who is the head of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space. He once was a US soldier in the Air Force during the Vietnam war. The anti-war peace movement during that time had a big effect on him while he was inside the base. He heard the voices of the demonstrators outside of the base and began to change. His story of transformation is both beautiful and inspirational.

Listen to what he has to say in today's podcast.

Bruce Gagnnon and Lotus, delegates from the USA

Korean Delegates

In the Bus visiting the Demarcation line between South and North Korea

North Korea from the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

Young Korean couple at the DMZ

With Nepali delegate on the Freedom Bridge

Bruce and the Korean organizer

Messages for peace at the DMZ

Imjingak, 7km from the Demarcation Line

Taking photos from only within the yellow line were permitted. How strange!

Bruce and myself

Two New Groups for 911 Truth Launched

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 01:09:04 PDT

I have been busy writing and translating a chapter for the new book written by Mr. Yukihisa Fujita, who questioned the official US government's version of what happened on Sept. 11th, 2001 in NY at Japan's Diet (the equivalent of the US Senate) last year in January. Since then, there have been many new groups that have launched websites that question the official 911 story. Recently two new groups were launched that I feel the public needs to be made aware of.

One was initiated by a group of politicians, including Mr. Fujita, called Political Leaders for 911 Truth. Check out their website:
http://pl911truth.com

Another was started by religious leaders including Dr. David Ray Griffin, and is called Religious Leaders for 911 Truth. Their website URL is:
http://rl911truth.org

There are so many groups now in the world working for 911 truth and I really hope that President Obama will make an initiative to launch a new completely independent commission to investigate what really happened on Sept. 11th, 2001. The War on Terror still continues today. Innocent people are still getting killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and all the family victims of 911 and the War on Terror should know the truth.

The book by Mr. Fujita is titled 'Questioning 9.11 Truth at Japan's Diet - Can Obama Really Change the US? It is published by Clubhouse and is available in Japan for 1500yen. ISBN978-4-906496-43-3. The Japanese title is: 「9.11テロ疑惑国会追及ーーオバマ米国は変われるか」

It should be at bookstores in late March and there will be a publishing party held on April 8th, which I intend to attend.

There will be another event on this topic at which Mr. Fujita will speak on April 24 at Naked Loft in Tokyo. The charge will be 1000 yen at the door.

♪ Anastasia Inspires A New Way Of Life ♪ - 30 min 31 sec - 7.1 MB

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 05:51:20 PST

I met Dr. Leonid Sharashkin on Feb 11th and 12th, 2009 during his first speaking tour in Japan. I happened to be giving a talk in Okayama on Feb 11th when he was giving a talk in Kagawa. As the cities are only an hour away from each other across the Setonaikai sea, I decided to go and meet him.

He is an amazing young man. You can watch a 40 minute interview he did with the Conscious Media Network here:
http://www.consciousmedianetwork.com/members/lsharashkin.htm

I am very happy I went to see him and also met with an amazing Japanese women who organized the tour and events for this marvelous man. The Book Anastasia and the Ringing Cedars series are bestsellers and I hope to be able to help with the publishing of the Japanese version soon.

Please click the title of this blog to listen to my interview with the editor of English version of the Ringing Cedars books, Dr. Leonid Sharashkin.

Who Wants Peace In The Middle East?

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:52:30 PST

If you missed seeing this story that was recently broadcast on 60 Minutes in the US, I highly recommend you take the time to watch the YouTube movie below.

I believe that CBS broadcasting of this kind of program that openly discloses the Jew's settlements would have been impossible under Bush's regime. I wonder how many Americans have actually seen this?

It is important for us all to understand the root cause of Israel-Palestinian conflict!

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=KG6sAjgVoj4

Here are some excerpts from the program:

(CBS) Getting a peace deal in the Middle East is such a priority to President Obama that his first foreign calls on his first day in office were to Arab and Israeli leaders. And on day two, the president made former Senator George Mitchell his special envoy for Middle East peace. Mr. Obama wants to shore up the ceasefire in Gaza, but a lasting peace really depends on the West Bank where Palestinians had hoped to create their state. The problem is, even before Israel invaded Gaza, a growing number of Israelis and Palestinians had concluded that peace between them was no longer possible, that history had passed it by. For peace to have a chance, Israel would have to withdraw from the West Bank, which would then become the Palestinian state.

It's known as the "two-state" solution. But, while negotiations have been going on for 15 years, hundreds of thousands of Jewish settlers have moved in to occupy the West Bank. Palestinians say they can't have a state with Israeli settlers all over it, which the settlers say is precisely the idea...

"While my heart still wants to believe that the two-state solution is possible, my brain keeps telling me the opposite because of what I see in terms of the building of settlements. So, these settlers are destroying the potential peace for both people that would have been created if we had a two-state solution," Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, once a former candidate for Palestinian president, told Simon...

Daniella Weiss moved from Israel to the West Bank 33 years ago. She has been the mayor of a large settlement.

"I think that settlements prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state in the land of Israel. This is the goal. And this is the reality," Weiss told 60 Minutes correspondent Bob Simon...

"Israel DEFENDING itself" Really?

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:24:06 PST

Click here to view a live web camera from Gaza.

The media says "Israel is DEFENDING itself"
Let's see if that is so... Have a look a the images on this page (the images of the missiles that have landed in Israel can be seen below the images of Gaza so scroll down!):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shamireaders/message/1233

Israel is even making an effort to control the Arabic media:
http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2008/12/31/hussam-ayloush-dead-palestinian-children-have-names-too/

Fortunately we can see what is really happening if we look carefully:

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=K5wrwZlwAq8

I will post more footage in my Japanese blog. Please visit and spread to your western friends. Let's become the media ourselves when the mainstream media is not telling what is happening accurately. You MUST have a look at the page and watch the live news report from the excellent Iranian news service PressTV:
http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2008/12/31/hussam-ayloush-dead-palestinian-children-have-names-too/

"Hamas must stop attacking Israel to attain peace." Most political leaders and the US media voice this message. On the surface this seems to be right. However check out this movie and you will see why Hamas is doing what it is doing:

Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land: Media & the Israel-Palestine Conflict

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6604775898578139565

Violence and terrorism must stop, I agree, but the occupation by Israel also must stop. They have been making the life of the Palestinians impossible for a long, long time (60 years to be exact) and now they are killing them indiscriminately. Not long ago they built a wall to keep them apart from Israel and to make it impossible for them to escape anywhere.

http://www.youtube.com/v/-rCBJjCiLGc&hl=en&fs=1

The weapons used to kill the Palestinians are from the military aid provided by the USA (Read this story to learn more!). Part of the money comes from ordinary Japanese people's personal savings by way of Japanese Banks. Japanese people buy Japanese short-term government bonds. The Bank of Japan uses their money to sell yen and buy US dollars. The Bank of Japan than buys US Treasury Bonds, and part of that money goes to military spending and overseas aid.

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy-60zSKiGE

One third of US overseas aid goes to Israel, which is one of the richest countries in the world. And more than half of US aid to Israel is military aid (3.5 billion USD in 2002, plus Israel receives free weapons from the US).

Americans and Japanese, do you see there is a direct relationship to you with what is happening in Gaza?

What would you do if you were a mother or a father living in Gaza right now?

2nd 911 Truth Conference Report

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:25:41 PST

The 2nd 911 Truth International Conference that was held on Nov 3, 2008 at Miyakezaka Hall, right smack in the middle of Japan's political center, Nagata-cho (need I mention that other than Mr. Yukihisa Fujita, no other members of the Japanese Diet attended). In total more than 500 people attended the 10 hour session. Our distinguished 911 Truth speakers included Dr. David Ray Griffin, Akira Dojimaru, Yukihisa Fujita (a House of Councilors member of Japanese Diet), Benjamin Fulford (ex-Forbes editor/writer), and Muneo Narusawa (editorial writer of Shukan Kinyobi - Weekly Friday magazine).

At the farewell party. From Left to Right: Gen Morita, Benjamin Fulford, Ms. Fujita, Dr. Griffin, Yumi Kikuchi, Mr. Fujita, Akira Doujimaru.

There were three sections in the event...

During the first section I showed 911 Truth related films and gave a talk. I started my presentation by with a short slide show titled War and the Imperial History of Middle East. Next I let the audience watch a excerpt of the session at the Japanese Diet (Parliament) on January 10th, 2008 where Mr. Fujita questioned the Prime Minister on the legality of Japan's role in the current wars in the Middle East. I should add that his session in Parliament was not reported in the mainstream media and a month or two back it was nominated as number 24 in the top 25 Censored Stories for 2008 in the world! (Click here to check my blog post about this.).

After that I played excerpts from the following movies: 911 In Plane Site, Reopen 911, 911 Eyewitness, Loose Change 2nd Edition and Press for Truth. As many people are not aware of the explosions that occurred in the WTC Towers that were reported by various US TV stations on the day and never rebroadcast again, I made sure the audience was made aware of this very important fact.

I also showed the audience the rather suspicious live BBC report of the 'collapse' of World Trade Center Building 7. I say suspicious as the BBC reported it collapsed 20 or 30 minutes before it actually was 'pulled' or should I say 'demolished'! Next I screened the controversial interview of Aaron Russo that was made by Alex Jones just before Aaron passed away. I then played a preview of the yet to be released movie Addicted To War as well as a short video of an anti-war march in San Francisco where I made a speech about the Japanese version of Addicted To War. Finally I showed a slide show about the terrible conditions Iraqi children face today. It was made by a 15 year old American girl, and is titled WWJF (What Would Jesus Do?).

I gave thirty minutes of my session to Aoki Hidekazu, who is the author of the Japanese book 'The Collapse of Money' [Okane Houkai]. He explained the relationship between 911, The War on Terror and the current financial crisis. It was very informative and interesting.

The next Speaker was Akira Doujimaru, who is also known by his pseudonym, Love from Barcelona. He has written an amazingly easy-to understand book and has a homepage on collapse of the WTC Towers. Some of the pictures can be seen here (The site is in Japanese and has many photo's: http://doujibar.ganriki.net/00menu.html

After a one hour lunch break, Dr. David Ray Griffin gave a lecture titled 'The New Pearl Harbor Revisited: 9/11, The Cover-Up, and the Exposé'. The lecture was translated to Japanese by Gen Morita and lasted over two hours. It was followed by a 30 minute question and answer session. He included material from all of his 911 books; The New Pearl Harbor, The 911 Commission Report - Omissions and Distortions, Debunking 9/11 Debunking, The Contradictions - An Open Letter Letter to the Congress and the Press, and The New Pearl Harbor Revisited. He also spoke of the latest developments in the 911 Truth Movement and the ever increasing numbers of scholars and professionals that now include architects, engineers, physicists, chemists, veterans, Hollywood entertainers and so on that have joined the 911 Truth Movement. Now it is time for political leaders to take action, he says.

The 3rd part of the program was a Panel Discussion with Yukihisa Fujita, Akira Dojimaru, Muneo Narusawa, and Benjamin Fullford. The Q&A session lasted more than one hour with a long line of participants waiting to ask their questions. As the coordinator, it was a tough job to get everyone's questions answered, but happily I can say I managed to get them all taken care of.

The conference ended with the speakers signing books, then 77 guests and staff spent another 2 hours at the farewell party for Dr. Griffin.

Dr. Griffin told me by email later that his week in Japan was one of the best weeks in his whole life.

Photographs and other related files from the conference and the other meetings around Japan can be viewed by clicking here.

2nd 911 Truth International Conference A Great Success!

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:15:08 PST

First of all a big thank you to Dr. David Ray Griffin and all the participants

Our 2nd 911 Truth International Conference was a great success with over 500 people attending. Some of the attendees came from as far away as Kyushu. Of course, two of our guest speakers, Dr. Ray Griffin and Akira Doujimaru came from the US and Spain to participate! The all day event went very smoothly and most of the participants stayed till the end, a full 10 hours! Some even stayed a further two hours for the reception party.

I was interviewed in Osaka by The Corbett Report during Dr. Griffin's lecture tour around Japan:

I will write more about it soon, but until then, here are some photos so you can get an idea of what it was like:

。

♪ Short Chat with Dr. David Ray Griffin ♪ - 11 min 53 sec - 2.8 MB

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:54:58 PDT

Today, Dr. David Ray Griffin and I are off to Kobe for the first of his 911 Truth lectures and conferences in the Kansai area.

He will be speaking today, Oct 31st, in Kobe, Nov 1st in Osaka, Nov 2nd in Nagoya and on Nov 3rd in Tokyo. The Tokyo event is the biggest event for Japan and it will be held at Miyake Zaka Hall in central Tokyo.

This morning I recorded a short interview with Dr. Griffin that I believe you will find interesting.

To learn more about Dr. Griffin's tour check out the conference homepage (in English):
http://2nd911.globalpeace.jp/english.html
If your Japanese is good or if you would like to introduce your Japanese friends to the conference check out this link:
http://2nd911.globalpeace.jp

Dinner with Dr. Griffin at my home in Chiba

PS. I really look forward to seeing you all (in your '911 Was An Inside Job' T Shirt if you have one!) over the next few days.

♪ 911 Truth Corbette Report Interview ♪ - 14 min 40 sec - 3.4 MB

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:50:44 PDT

Today I was interviewed by James Corbett, an American living in Japan who publishes video and audio news podcasts on his independent online news program The Corbett Report.

In the interview I talk about how I got into the 911 Truth Movement and about the 2nd 911 Truth International Conference in Tokyo.

It is a short interview. I hope you can enjoy listening to it.

The Corbett Report can be seen here.

Mr. Fujita's questions on 9/11 chosen as No. 24 in the Top 25 Censored Stories

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 06:17:47 PDT

Project Censored chose the Top 25 censored stories for 2009 and amazingly, one Japanese story is in the list. (I guess it is not so amazing actually, as I know all too well about the mainstream media censorship that goes on in Japan...).

Anyway, the story that was chosen about a topic that I am very involved in!

Parliament member Mr. Yukihisa Fujita asked questions to Mr. Fukuda, who was at that time the Prime Minister of Japan. The questions concerned not only the inconsistencies in the official version of what happened on Sept. 11th., but also debated the ethics of renewing Japan's 'anti-terror law' which supports the coalition forces operating in Afghanistan. Mr. Fujita pointed out that the US has not provided credible information that links al-Qaeda to Sept 11th.

The parliamentary session was broadcast by NHK TV live but not one newspaper or TV program even mentioned it that day or in the days following. To this day, almost no one in Japan knows about it!

There was and still is a total media blackout despite the importance of Mr. Fujita's questions!!

Please read what Project Censored wrote by clicking here.

Peace Week in Kunitachi: Peace Not War Japan

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 06:24:01 PDT

For all my readers living near Tokyo, I hope you will be able to attend this big four day peace music event in Kunitachi!

More music, more peace! More singing, less shooting!

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

4-Day Peace Concert Series@Chikyuya Live House - Kunitachi, Tokyo

Come out and enjoy some fantastic music while also supporting artists and organizations who are working for peace! 

Dates: September 25th-28th

Times: 8PM nightly (Doors open at 7:30 PM) 
※ Please be aware that time schedule may vary slightly.

☆ Fee: 2000 yen/night (includes donation to grassroots peace groups)  

☆Concert schedule:  

September 25th (Thursday)   

☆ Remarks from Peace Not War Japan (8 PM)

☆ Arakajime Kimerareta Koibitotachi e (8:15 PM ~ )
※ An electronica/dub solo unit comprising Ikenaga Shouji, AKK (in Japanese, "Pre-determined lovers") can be found around town featuring lyrical-style pieces, remixing, cinematography, and other unique onstage techniques.
www.arakajime.com (Japanese only)
http://www.myspace.com/arakajime (J/E)

☆ LIKKLE MAI ("INNA BAND" STYLE) (9:15 PM ~ ) 
※ A reggae singer who hails straight from Kunitachi, Likkle Mai appeared on PNWJ's charity CD as the lead singer of the group Dry and Heavy. Don't miss this chance to catch her live and backed by her current full band!
www.likklemai.com (Japanese only)
http://jp.myspace.com/likklemai (J/E)

September 26th (Friday)  

☆ Remarks from Peace Not War Japan (8 PM)

☆ Ben Kemp & Uminari (8:30 PM ~ )
※ An organic fusion band featuring vocals, guitar, electric flute, cajón and fretless bass, the group features Ben's Polynesian inspired ethereal voice and poetic lyrics combined with Uminari's Japanese-inspired arrangements. The overall effect is a soulful, acoustic sound that is both soothing and haunting.
http://www.benkemp.co.nz/index_nihongo.shtml (J)
http://www.benkemp.co.nz/index_english.shtml (E)  

☆ Ishikawa Michihisa Session (9:30 PM ~ )
※ A jazzy unit featuring Ishikawa Michihisa from the well-respectedgroup Ska Flames, this collection of artists will intrigue fans of early reggae, ska, and rocksteady.

☆ Jintaramuta (10:30 PM ~ )
※ A fusion unit blending chindon and jinta (Japanese traveling street protest music from the Meiji era) together with elements of modern jazz, Jintaramuta is a spinoff unit from the internationally acclaimed group Cicala-Mvta fronted by multi-instrumental artist Ohkuma Wataru, together with other talented musicians. A must-see!
www.cicala-mvta.com (J)
http://www.cicala-mvta.com/profileenglish.shtml (E)

☆ Takada Akiko (10:30 PM ~ )
※ One of Japan's most foremost belly dancers, Takada Akiko will appear together onstage with Jintaramuta.
www5.ocn.ne.jp/~yosuke/akiko/ (Japanese only)

 September 27th (Saturday)  

☆ Remarks from Peace Not War Japan (8 PM)

☆ Choukarou Baraku 7 (8:15 PM ~ )
※ A popular rakugo (traditional storytelling) artist whose roots in the trade may be traced back seven generations to the Edo era. Will appear together with his disciple, female rakugo artist Choukarou Miraku.
http://www.rakugo-kyokai.or.jp/Profiles.aspx?code=71 (Japanese only)

☆ Kotobuki (9:45 PM ~ ) 
※ An energetic duo whose gorgeous piece "Shalom, Sala'am" appeared on the PNWJ CD, Kotobuki has been performing Ryukyu-inspired music and other acoustic pieces at live houses and peace events around the country for more than 20 years.
http://www.kotobuki-nn.com (Japanese only)  

September 28th (Sunday)
 
☆ Remarks from Peace Not War Japan (8 PM)

☆ YOSHIE (8:20 PM ~ )
※ Dynamic belly dancer who regularly shares the stage with numerous artists in a variety of genres.

☆ Ailie (8:40 PM ~ )
※ Accomplished reggae/Japanese roots with an inspiring message of love and natural living.
http://ailie.jp (Japanese only)
http://www.myspace.com/ailieofficial (J/E)

☆ Philip Woo Band (9:40 PM ~ )
※ Multi-genre unit with hints of funk, soul, jazz and rock fronted by Philip Woo, a pianist, multi-keyboardist, bandleader, producer and composer who hails from New York City and is now based in Tokyo.
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/philipwoo/ (Japanese only)

  ☆ Nigayomogi (10:30 PM ~ ) 
※ Reggae band led by Kunitachi-based soulful vocalist Nakahara Chuu.
http://www.myspace.com/chuunakahara

☆A portion of funds raised during the performances will be donated to the following grassroots peace organizations:

※Collateral Repair Project
International group working to help Iraqi refugees
www.collateralrepairproject.org

※Kunitachi Peace Week
Yearly event bringing all sorts of peace events to the streets of Kunitachi!
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/kunitachipw/d/20060424 (Japanese only)

※Stop Rokkasho
Citizens working to oppose the Aomori nuclear fuel reprocessing plant
http://stop-rokkasho.org

※Yanbaru Takae: Association to Protect the Broccoli Forest
Local movement to stop U.S. military construction in Okinawa's Yanbaru region
http://takae.ti-da.net (J)
http://nohelipadtakae.org/files/VOT-en.pdf (E)

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

☆ Map to venue: http://chikyuya.web.infoseek.co.jp/map.html (Japanese only)
 ☆ Artist CDs and other goods will be for sale each night.
☆ Please refrain from smoking inside.

Event organizer: Peace Not War Japan
Thank you in advance for your support! Please tell your friends!

The Truth Can Move Us Forward - 911 War Crimes Tribunal Proposed

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 17:17:45 PDT

Wow, Kucinich is truly my hero. This really needed to happen in the US and I am so happy he keeps speaking and pointing out the most pressing issues for US and the world. What an inspiration to us all he is!

Thanks, Dennis. Thanks, Alfred, founder of Exopolitics, for sending this post to me. Alfred also published this article in his Peace In Space blog which can be seen by clicking here.

This article first appeared in The Nation.

The Truth Can Move Us Forward
by REP. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

America must move from the errant, retributive justice of 9/11 to a healing, restorative process of truth and reconciliation.

Before the Congress adjourns, I will bring forth a new proposal for the establishment of a National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation, which will have the power to compel testimony and gather official documents to reveal to the American people not only the underlying deception which has divided us, but in that process of truth seeking set our nation on a path of reconciliation.

We suffer in our remembrance of 9/11, because of the terrible loss of innocent lives on that grim day. We also suffer because 9/11 was seized as an opportunity to run a political agenda, which has set America on a course of the destruction of another nation and the destruction of our own Constitution. And we have become less secure as a result of the warped practice of pursing peace through the exercise of pre-emptive military strength.

It is not simply 9/11 that needs to be remembered. We also need to remember the politicization of 9/11 and the polarizing narrative which followed, locking us into endless conflict, a war on terror which has wrought further terror worldwide and which has severely damaged our standing worldwide as an honorable, compassionate nation. As we were all victims of 9/11, so we have become victims of the interpretation of 9/11.

Our government's external response to 9/11 was to attack a nation which did not attack us. Indeed on the first anniversary of 9/11, the Bush Administration issued a well-publicized stern warning to Iraq, which was part of a campaign to induce people to believe Iraq had something to do with 9/11.

The deliberate, systematic connection of Iraq with 9/11 has led America into a philosophical and moral cul-de-sac as over one million Iraqis and over 4,155 US soldiers have died in a war that will cost over $3 trillion. Additionally, soldiers from twenty-three other countries have died in the Iraq war.

We attempt to unite Iraq by further dividing it. We talk about restoring Iraq while taking steps to place control of its vast oil wealth in the hands of US oil giants. And we intend to impose upon the Iraqi people the cost of rebuilding a country our government ruined, keeping a once-prosperous nation lashed to debt and poverty for a long, long time. Iraq has paid for 9/11. We all continue to pay for 9/11.

The heartbreaking loss of the lives and injuries to America troops further binds us to the Administration's illogic of the Iraq War: We remember our troops' sacrifice by demanding more sacrifice; we support our troops by continuing the war.

The dominant color of our new national security since 911 is neither red, white nor blue. Every day is orange. Every day, reminders of fear of 9/11 become banal. Yet we no longer hear the airport announcements nor see the orange-colored warnings because they have commonplace standards in our new national security state, as is the Patriot Act, wiretapping, and a host of invasions of privacy and diminution of civil liberties. The Constitution has been roundly attacked by the very people who took an oath to defend it.

There is a powerful desire across America for change, not necessarily from control by one political party to another, but a change from living with lies to living with truth.

Over two dozen nations, facing peril within and without, deeply divided by politics and war have travelled down a path of restoring civil society through a formal process of reconciliation. At some point within each of those countries it was understood that the way forward is shown through the light of truth. This process is not without pain because it requires a willingness to study evidence from which eyes had been averted and ears had been closed. But in the process of truth and reconciliation, nations found new strength, new resolve, and new commitment.

The South African Truth and Reconciliation enabled that nation to come to grips with its past through a public confessional, bringing forward those who committed crimes and having the power to grant amnesty for full disclosure of crimes against the people. Of course, our path may necessarily be different: High US government officials stand accused in impeachment petitions of violating national and international law. Our continued existence as a democracy may depend upon how thoroughly we seek the truth. I will call upon the America people to join me in supporting this effort.

The truth can move us forward, as a unified whole, so that we can one day become a re-United States. 9/11 is the day the world changed. It is the day America embraced a metaphor of war. If we are open to truth and reconciliation, we may one day be able, once again, to embrace peace.

About Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich
At age 31, Dennis Kucinch was elected mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, making him the youngest-ever elected leader of a major American city. Since 1997, he has represented Ohio's 10th District in Congress, and he is currently the co-chair of the House Progressive Caucus. He ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004.

Sept 11th, the day the world woke up!

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:39:18 PDT

Check out the PressTV video news story below.

Today here in Tokyo Japan, Benjamin Fulford, Yukihisa Fujita and myself took part in a 911 Truth Event on this seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11th, 2001. We had a full house with over 200 people attending!

Mr. Fujita speaking on the question of if Japanese politics is manipulated by the US Government.

As Benjamin mentioned during his talk today, as terrible as the events of Sept. 11th were, in reality, they were needed to wake the world up from the dangerous slumber it was in. Prior to 911, virtually no one was aware of the nefarious behind the scenes manipulation of local and global events for the benefit or corporations, the military and the wealthy elite.

Benjamin Fulford who was the main organizer of the event

I myself began to realize something was not quite right with the official 911 story about three years after Sept. 11th, 2001. Since then I have continued my research and now know that Sept. 11th was just one of many, many events that were planned in advance in order to manipulate and control the fabric of society for the benefit of the elite and the businesses they control!

A good crowd at the rear of the hall checking out the books and DVDs for sale

Sept 11th was used to manipulate us into believing that extremists from Afghanistan and Iraq were behind the attacks in New York and the only way to stop them from doing the same again was to invade, attack and control their countries. In the years that have passed since the war started over 4,000 US soldiers have been killed, with some 30,000 wounded. As for the Iraqi's, some estimates put their death toll at over a million...

View of the audience during the 10 minute break

We now know that Sept. 11th was not carried out by 19 terrorists wielding box cutters! How gullible we were to believe that they could defeat not once, but four times on the same day, the most sophisticated military and security forces in the world!

How gullible were we to believe that two steel towers that were built to handle hurricane force winds for months at a time could collapse in their own footprints in less than ten seconds, an hour or so after they were struck by the planes!

Benjamin Fulford, Yukihisa Fujita and myself during the panel discussion

The fake war on terror continues today, physically and mentally maiming not only Iraqi's but US soldiers and their families too!

Being interviewed by Press TV

The PressTV News Story

Enough is enough! We must now put the spotlight on 911 as many people still do not know the truth! I hope you will join me and my many friends around the world. We have been working hard to get the truth out about 911!

As the mainstream media is the voice of the military, the corporations and the the elite, it is up to us, to you and me, to become the voice of truth and peace! Each one of us must become the media. We need to tell everyone we know that 911 Was An Inside Job!

Volunteers wearing our new '911 Truth' and '911 Was An Inside Job' T Shirts

On November 3rd, we will be holding our 2nd 911 Truth Conference in Japan. Please visit our website to learn more about what we have planned. If you are living in Japan don't miss it! If you know someone living in Japan, please make sure you tell them about it.

2nd 911 Truth International Conference in Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:08:25 PDT

I am happy to announce two 911 Truth events in Japan and want to inform you of the 2008 Now or Never event in New York for the benefit of 911 First Responders and to get the word out that 911 was and inside job! Check out the website here http://www.2008nowornever.com and also watch this movie!

The first event happening here in Japan is being organized by Benjamin Fulford and will be held on Sep 11, 2008 in Ebisu. The admission fee is 3000 yen and you need to make a reservation. The details (in Japanese) can be seen here:
http://benjaminfulford.typepad.com/benjaminfulford/2008/08/9月11日木911真相究明会-きくちゆみ藤田幸久議員ｂフルフォード.html

The speakers will be Yukihisa Fujita (A member of the Japanese House of Councilors. His website is only in Japanese), Benjamin Fulford and myself.

If you have any Japanese friends who are interested in knowing what really happened on Sept. 11th, 2001, please contact them and let them know about this event.
Date and Time: Sep 11, 2008, 6-9pm
Place: Ebisu Kumin Kaikan
Map: http://www.city.shibuya.tokyo.jp/est/kmkaikan/km_ebisu.html
Fee: 3000 yen
Application by e-mail: benjaminoffice88@gmail.com
or by phone: 080-3282-3790

The Global Peace Campaign is also organizing its 2nd 911 Truth International Conference in Tokyo!

The hall we hired for the first 911 Truth Conference was filled to capacity so we are increasing the size of the hall for this event so we can seat 700! Please join us and bring your friends. Lets get the truth out to as many people as we can. Most of the content will be in Japanese but David Ray Griffin's lecture will be in English with Japanese translation.

Date and time: Nov 3, 2008. 10am-8pm (It is an all day event)
Place: Miyake-Zaka Hall (Syakai Bunka Kaikan)
Address: Nagatacho 1-8-1 Tel:03-5920-7531
Map: http://www.syabunkaikan.org/Traffic.html
Fee: 5000 yen
Click here to download conference flyer (PDF 1.1 MB)
(Windows users should right click, Mac users should control click)(All links in the PDF are clickable!)

Yumi interviewing David Ray Griffin at his home in California in January 2007

There will be a party with David Ray Griffin and all the panelists after the conference. If you would like to join it, the cost will be 5000 yen. There are a limited number of seats available for those who wish to participate in both the conference and the party. If you would like to join both events, send 10,000 yen (per person attending) by Post Office "Yubin Furikae" to:

Harmonics Life Center 00110-1-144224

The Yubin Furikae money transfer system is available from every post office in Japan from 9am to 4pm. On the form write "911 Conference and Party with DRG" and your name, address and phone on the application form (furikae yoshi).

The keynote speech will be by well know author and theologian David Ray Griffin. David Ray Griffin is the author of many books about 911. Here is list of some his 911 publications:

The New Pearl Harbor: Disturbing Questions About the Bush Administration and 9/11 (2004).

The 9/11 Commission Report: Omissions And Distortions (2005)

Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11: A Call to Reflection and Action (2006)

Debunking 9/11 Debunking: An Answer to Popular Mechanics and Other Defenders of the Official Conspiracy Theory, Arris Books, 2007

9/11 Contradictions: An Open Letter to Congress and the Press, Interlink Publ. 2008

New Pearl Harbor Revisited: 9/11, the Cover-up and the Exposé, Arris 10/2008

*******************

The panelists who will take part in the event will be:

Yukihisa Fujita (A member of the Japanese House of Councilors)

Akira Dojimaru (Author/translator)

Benjamin Fulford (Journalist)

Muneo Narusawa (Weekly Friday Journalist)

Coordinator: Yumi Kikuchi

Interpreter: Gen Morita

Excerpts from the first 911 Truth Conference in Japan can be seen here:

Finally I would urge all eligible US voters to go to the website of Dennis Kucinich and sign his petition to impeach George Bush before September 11th!

Tokyo Peace Film Festival This Week!

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:53:40 PDT

It is my great pleasure and joy to announce and invite you to the 5th Tokyo Peace Film Festival, which starts on Friday July 18th, 2008 at 7:15pm with the film 'Iraq For Sale' (In English with Japanese subtitles).

The doors open at 6:45pm at the National Olympic Youth Center which is near Sangu-bashi Station on the Odakyu Line, two stops from Shinjuku. If your Japanese is up to speed, after the film you will be able to listen to a lecture by the well known researcher Yu Tanaka.

The next day, Saturday July 19th, the doors open 9:30am. The first movie will start at 10. There will be six films and in the afternoon I will give a talk on Sept. 11th 2001 and the events surrounding that terrible day. During my presentation I will show excerpts from some well known 911 films. My talk will be in Japanese.

Here are the films that will be shown on Saturday.

1: 10:05 Our Daily Bread (Narration in English with Japanese Subtitles)
This is a must see if you would like to know how modern food is actually produced.

2: 11:55 From Carrot to the Universe (In Japanese only)
A wonderful organic farmer Katsuto Akamine talks about the secrets of the universe.

3: 14:00 Star Wars Returns (In English with Japanese subtitles)
Are you aware that Japan is also planning to join the US initiated Star Wars program? This is the result of the passing a new Universe Basic Law (Uchu Kihon Ho) in the Japanese parliament. Watch this film and find out what they are trying to do without our consent!

4: 14:40 Development with Destruction (In English with Japanese subtitles)
In this expose, a BBC camera crew captures how the natural environment has been destroyed in Okinawa by the presence of the many US bases as well as the ongoing public construction and development work. See this link also.

5: 15:25 Compassion in Exile (In English with Japanese subtitles)
The Story of the 14th Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama's and his relatives talk on his life. Music by Philip Glass.

6: 16:40 9.11 and How War is Made (Talk in Japanese, some film excerpts contain English)
The 'War on Terrorism' which was started in response to the Sept. 11th 2001 incident is still ongoing with no end in sight. In my presentation I will be showing short excerpts from a number of films and recorded interviews with well known 911 Truth researchers. Find out what 9.11 was really about.

7: 18:40 Peace Bed: The US VS John Lennon 2006 (In English with Japanese subtitles)
John and Yoko's amazing story! Their actions for peace still empower us today. See this link as well.

-----

The last Day: Sunday, July 20 starting at 10am, door opens at 9:30am

1: 10:05 Rokkasho Report No.4 (In Japanese only)
After the film the director, Hitomi Kamanaka will give a talk in Japanese

2: 13:10 SPALTPROZESSE (The Nuclear Split) (In German with Japanese subtitles)
Ever since the location of the nuclear fuel reprocessing plant was finally determined on 4 February 1985, many people have changed their accustomed patterns of life. In its continuing line of development and its thematic diversity this film provides a profound insight into the process of landscape and ecologic destruction; and it describes the intentions behind the construction of a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in terms of atomic policies. Once loyal citizens have been turned into hesitant radicals. Women civil servants, housewives and mothers all reveal their awareness of a political and social responsibility that extends far beyond any initial expression of indignation. This is of great relevance to Japan's own Rokkasho Mura Nuclear Processing plant in Aomori Prefecture. Check out Ryuichi Sakamoto's website.

3: 15:15 Iraq (In Japanese)
A behind the scenes look at the war in Iraq. See things the mainstream media will not cover, including the killing of innocent children and the high cancer rates that have been blamed on the military's use of depleted uranium weapons.

4: 16:15 Hiroshima Nagasaki (White Light, Black Rain) (In Japanese)
On August 6th and 9th, 1945, two atomic bombs vaporized 210,000 people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Those who survived are called "hibakusha" -- people exposed to the bomb-- and there are an estimated 200,000 living today. Today, with the threat of nuclear weapons of mass destruction frighteningly real - the world's arsenal capable of repeating the destruction at Hiroshima 400,000 times over, Oscar® award-winning filmmaker Steven Okazaki revisits the bombings and shares the stories of the only people to have survived a nuclear attack. Steven spent 25 years making this film.

■ Download the Tokyo Peace Film Festival Flyer（B5/4 pages、PDF2.2MB） ■

Ticket Information

--------＜Tokyo Peace Film Members＞--------

To become a member you can register (in Japanese only) at the Peace Film Festival Homepage.
Adults (Students)　　　　
7/18 (Friday) One day ticket 1,500yen (500yen)　　
7/18 (Friday) 〜19 (and Saturday) 2 day ticket 3,000yen (2,000yen)　　
7/18 (Friday) 〜20 (Sat, Sunday) 3 day ticket 5,000yen (3,000yen)
(The number of three day tickets available for members is limited to 200)
7/20 (Sunday) Single day ticket (No pre-sales) 2,000yen (1,000yen)

--------＜General Public＞--------

No pre-sale tickets available.

Adults (Students)
7/18 (Friday) One day ticket 2,500yen (1,500yen)
7/19 (Saturday) One day ticket 4,000yen (3,000yen)
7/20 (Sunday) One day ticket 3,000yen (2,000yen)

Rokkasho Rapsody Showing at University of Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:43:50 PDT

Rokkasho Rhapsody - An In-Depth Documentary on THE NEWEST Nuclear Power Reprocessing Plant

Effects of Nuclear Energy in a Quiet Japanese Town

Since the age of nuclear energy first began, both proponents and opponents have yet to agree on whether its benefits outweigh its potential dangers. Come and explore this controversy, on July 12th and 13th, 2008, The Surfrider Foundation Oahu Chapter will be presenting the documentary film “Rokkasho Rhapsody” at the University of Hawaii Spalding Auditorium in collaboration with its Japan Chapter.

(This trailer is in Japanese but the movie shown will have English subtitles)

Rokkasho, a village in Northern Japan, is now the center of international attention with the completion of the newest and largest Nuclear Waster Power Reprocessing Plant in the world completed in 2004 and expected to become fully operational this summer. A reprocessing plant differs from a nuclear power plant in that it does not generate electricity; instead it recycles the waste fuel from a nuclear reactor. It extracts up to 97% of its plutonium and uranium for reuse that would otherwise lay in perpetual storage potentially leaching into our environment.

Proponents believe recycling these radioactive materials is a prudent idea due to the high volume of recyclable material obtained through the reprocessing process, opponents argue that it comes with irrevocable environmental consequences. According to nuclear experts, in one day alone the discharge from this reprocessing plant will equal a year's worth of radiation produced by a typical nuclear power plant that will quickly disperse into our atmosphere and ocean.

In Rokkasho, the debate continues. The town has become dependent on the economic stimulus that the plant has provided through direct employment and by supporting local businesses, ensuring a future that once did not seem so bright. Rokkasho’s youth no longer leave their small community of 11,000 seeking prosperity and a better way of life elsewhere. And yet there are those who recognize and are concerned about the cost of living with radioactive exposure and the loss of traditional agricultural farming that their town was once dependent upon.

Through “Rokkasho Rhapsody,” director Kamanaka Hitomi patiently and respectfully looks at both sides of the issue. Organizers of this documentary film presentation hope to provide information about the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant, and also to encourage discussion and bring attention to the world’s future energy sources, how much risk is acceptable, and how the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant might affect Hawaii in the event of an industrial incident.

It’s not in our backyard, but the effects are profound and awareness is key.

Please join us at the following locations and times:

University of Hawaii Spalding Auditorium

Showings: Saturday, July 12, 2008 @ 5:00pm
Sunday, July 13, 2008 @ 2:00pm

Admission: General Public: $5
Students and faculty: $3
18 and under: Free

For more information (in English) see:

http://stop-rokkasho.org
http://cnic.jp/english/topics/cycle/rokkasho/index.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/japan/rokkasho.htm
http://www.japannuclear.com/nuclearpower/fuelcycle/facilities.html

Article 9 Conference a HUGE success!

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:11:01 PDT

The Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish War was held on May 4th and 5th at Makuari Messe International Conference Center. All of us here in Japan had been hearing very little about this conference in the mainstream media and the organizers were worried that the event would not get anywhere close to capacity. They need not have worried! It turned out that more than 12,000 people tried to get into the 7,000 capacity hall for the opening ceremony and keynote speeches. (I am told that the total number of attendees over the three days of the event was close to 22,000!)

On the first day, I was one of 3000 people who were turned away from the main hall, but I had two booths at the event, one for the Tokyo Peace Film Festival, the other for JUMP (Japan United for Ministry of Peace) so I spent all day at the many different booths where all the other peace NGOs were hanging out. I had a great time there and I was so happy there were so many people at the conference. This may have been a record breaker in Japan's NGO history. To have so many attendees with almost no coverage (assistance!) from the mainstream media in my mind is truly an amazing (record breaking) grass roots achievement...

To me this means that we have now become the MEDIA ourselves!

We gathered this enormous number of people by word of mouth, the internet and handing out flyers and so on.

Isn't that something?!

I met so many of my friends but there were new faces, especially those of people in their 20s and 30s. I was very moved to see so many young people there.

On the 2nd day (May 5th) I spoke at the Article 9 Cinema. I showed excerpts from the film 'What I've Learned About US Foreign Policy' in a room that too was overcapacity. I knew I would have some people in my audience but had not expected that many people as there were other interesting symposiums and workshops happening at the same time. It was amazing! People were queuing up to get in long before my session was to start.

View of the crowd during my session at the Article 9 Cinema

I had only one hour, so I couldn't show the whole film nor did I have enough time to talk about it in detail. The excerpts I chose were The School of the Americas, Panama Deception and Ramsey Clark's talk. After my show all the DVDs that I had brought were sold out in a flash!!

That evening I invited Yuri Morita, who is active in the children's abuse and domestic violence issue, to stay at my home. We had a great time together. We peace workers need to have quality time with like minded people from time to time, otherwise we can get burned out...

I was so happy about the success of Global Article 9 Conference but at the same time, right now wars are going on in many areas of the world. I should mention that the Japan Air Self-Defense Force still remains in Iraq and continues to support the US forces. We are helping with the transportation of the servicemen and women as well as weapons. On each day of the conference we Japanese were actually involved in the fighting of a war. I hope you now realize that Article 9 is in great danger!

The success of the Global Article 9 Conference was just the first of many steps we need to take to regain the power that Article 9 has lost in recent years. Each one of us must keep working to strengthen Article 9 so that it becomes a powerful beacon of hope for all of humanity, so that one day Peace May Prevail On Earth!

It is up to each one of us to make Article 9 the shining light it should be.

Check out this performance of Imagine from the conference. A higher quality version of the movie can be seen here.

Exploring the Connections Between Music and Peace

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Sat, 03 May 2008 00:20:42 PDT

Global Article 9 Conference Workshop!

My dear friend Aska will be playing on Monday May 5th at the Global Article 9 Conference Workshop (details below). I will be there as one of audience.

After the concert, I will be speaking at Article 9 Cinema, which will be at Conference Room 302 on the 3rd floor of Makuhari Messe between the screening of What I've Learned about US Foreign Policy: War Against the 3rd World (screening will be starting at 2:40). Out of 10 documentaries from that movie, 3 will be shown on May 5.

Hope to see you all there!

*****************

Date/Time: Monday, May 5th (National Holiday) 12:20 – 13:50
Place: Makuhari Messe, Chiba (International Conference Hall 3F, Room 304)
Organizer: Peace Not War Japan (www.pnwj.org)
Event URL (includes flyer): http://www.soundsphenomenal.org/pnwj/en/newsblog/news.htm

Please join us for a live show featuring a lineup of several internationally acclaimed musicians. The artists will then be asked to share their views and personal experiences regarding the contribution of music as both a political and a spiritual tool toward the goal of encouraging peace, and to consider the role that music can play to help protect Japan's Constitutional Article 9. The discussion will be emceed by radio personality Peter Barakan, who has a deeply nuanced understanding of music and peace-related issues, as well as the convergence thereof.

Performers
Aska Kaneko (Multi-genre violinist and vocalist)
Ben Kemp & Uminari (Polynesian and Japanese acoustic fusion ensemble)
Likkle Mai & The K (Reggae vocalist/ guitarist)

Emcee
Peter Barakan (broadcaster)

Fees for the Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish War:

May 4th (Plenary & Live Concert): ￥1500 （\1000 with advance purchase）
May 5th (Symposium & Workshops): same as above (Conference is free for junior high school students and younger.)

Advance tickets may be purchased at Lawson's convenience stores,
or by postal transfer (see http://www.whynot9.jp/action/ticket.html for details in Japanese).

For more info and full conference schedule, see the official website:
www.whynot9.jp

Route to venue: http://www.m-messe.co.jp/access/train_access_e.html
Map of venue: http://www.m-messe.co.jp/makuhari_e.html

Artist Profiles

Aska Kaneko
Born in Tokyo, Aska Kaneko began playing the violin at age four, and started to perform professionally while attending the Tokyo University of the Arts. She has played in countless numbers of music sessions spanning numerous genres, and has released a total of 17 albums. She continues to receive accolades for her outstanding technique, rich musical expression, and playfully elegant style. Aska's most recent album is Ave (2007), a multi-lingual collaboration where she explores themes of peace along with several international guest artists. She also regularly facilitates children's workshops, and produces music for use in energy work. Her personal pursuits include researching the Mayan calendar, bodywork such as yoga and Tai Chi, and organic cooking. She lives with her husband, who is from the U.S., and their fifth-grade, Hawaiian-born son. Website: http://www.aska-aloha.com

Ben Kemp & Uminari
Signed to independent Japanese label Suzuki Records, Ben Kemp & Uminari are creating a unique musical fusion as they forge new territory both musically and culturally. With their adventurous instrumentation that includes vocals, guitar, electric flute, cajón and fretless bass, the group features Ben's Polynesian-inspired ethereal voice and poetic lyrics, combined with Uminari's Japanese-inspired arrangements. The overall effect is a soulful, acoustic sound that is both soothing and haunting. The group has released three albums, and has toured twice in New Zealand, Australia and Japan. Website: http://www.benkemp.co.nz

Likkle Mai & The K
Accomplished reggae vocalist Likkle Mai, who runs her own record label "MK MuziK", continues to bring audiences her strong message of peace and love. Her second album "MW" received praise from various music magazines following its release in 2007, and a 7-inch single track "My Woman/Home, Sweet Home was released in January 2008 from the same album. Likkle Mai is presently working on a collaboration project with several other artists, as well as her own third album. Website: http://likklemai.com

Peter Barakan (broadcaster)
Born in London, Peter Barakan has lived in Tokyo since 1974 and has worked in broadcasting since 1980. His work has placed particular emphasis on introducing a wide variety of music from different parts of the world to a public that is often force-fed only what is commercially convenient for large corporations. His present radio programs are the "Barakan Beat" show at www.otonamazu.com online, which features a variety of world music; and "Weekend Sunshine," a weekly free form radio programme on NHK-FM. He also hosts the Japanese broadcast of the US news magazine show "60 Minutes" and the weekly talk show "Begin Japanology "for NHK World.

My Interview at Ron Paul Revolution Radio!

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:50:30 PDT

I had the pleasure of talking with two wonderful hosts, Indy and Thomas, from the Ron Paul Radio Show on April 6th.

I talked about my life here in Kamogawa, how I got involved with the 9/11 Truth movement and what we can do to stop the war and create a more sustainable and peaceful future.

They plan to interview me again soon and I will be very happy to do so. The mainstream media is not covering our efforts to expose the truth on what really happened on 911, so I feel that we must now use the internet and other alternative media to spread the truth.

Here are links to listen to the radio show:

http://mp3.rprradio.com/16k/200804/20080405_Sat_Indy2.mp3

http://mp3.rprradio.com/16k/200804/20080405_Sat_Indy3.mp3

And edited version of program (material not related to me has been removed) can also be listened to on the Harmonics Life Gallery.

Alex Jones Interviews Yukihasa Fujita

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:23:04 PDT

In an outstanding 15 minute interview yesterday on the Alex Jones Show, Mr. Yukihisa Fujita suggested that a new investigation into the events of Sept. 11th, 2001 needs to be carried out, perhaps this time by the United Nations. He said that some other European parliamentarians feel the same way as himself.

Slowly but surely, people from all walks of life are realizing that the official story just does not add up. Later on in yesterdays interview Mr. Fujita ironically stated that the internet was an invention by the military, but now citizens are making the best use of it to learn the truth, implying that the military itself was involved in the events of 911.

Until the age of the internet, such crimes could remain hidden, but no longer...

Today here in Japan Mr. Fujita is currently reporting to his party about his recent experiences and research on the 911 coverup in Europe and Australia.

Mr. Fujita is a courageous individual and an inspiration for us all! I urge you to follow his lead and learn for yourself and then spread the word, “911 was an inside job!“, as many are now saying.

Japanese Magazine Covers Fujita's Visit to Screening of ZERO!

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 04:58:57 PDT

The Japanese weekly magazine SPA! with a circulation of well over 200,000, has published a six page article that I coauthored on Mr. Yukihisa Fujita's 911 truth visit to Europe. (Mr. Fujita is a member of the House of Councillers in the Japanese Parliament)

Unfortunaltly SPA! is only available Japanese, nevertheless this is a great thing as the Japanese media has stonewalled all of his recent 911 related activities. This story in Spa! gives the background and detail to his visit to the Europe to attend the premier of the film ‘ZERO, an investigation into the events of 9/11’. Click here to see the front cover and first page of the story.

Earlier this year in January, in a session in the Japanese parliament, Mr. Fujita expressed his doubts as to the official US account of what happened on Sept. 11th 2001 and the consequent use of the event as an 'excuse' to join the US in the 'War on Terror'. There was a virtual blackout in the Japanese mainstream media of his courageous and well thought out questions and presentation. I am told there was a short article (one or two paragraphs in length) that appeared in one newspaper, but the story was not mentioned anywhere else! (You can see a subtitled version of the questions he asked here)

Two weeks ago, Mr. Fujita visited Australia as a keynote speaker at the Oz 2008 911 Truth Conference. Once again there was no mention in the Japanese media, or, for that matter, in the Australian media. (Read my previous blog on his Australian visit)

It is painfully obvious that the mainstream media is no longer a the clarion of truth and justice it is supposed to be. TV, radio and newspapers have become the mouthpiece of corporations and the military industrial complex that now rule the world. If you want to know what is really going on in the world, it is time you started looking at the alternative media news sources on the internet, including mathaba.net and the Alex Jones website.

Japanese MP Yukihisa Fujita Speaking at Oz 2008 911 Truth Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Yumi Kikuchi) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 05:05:29 PDT

Now, you can watch what Mr. Fujita said at the Oz 2008 Truth Now Tour Conference held in Sydney Australia on March 15th and 16th. He spoke on both days, this video being from March 15th. Mr Fujita has become the conscience of the parliamentarians of the world now. I hope more politicians can follow him to light the 911 truth which is still in the dark.

For readers with bandwidth limits, click here to listen to just the audio of his presentation. (MP3 format, 6 MB)

The following comments are from my friend Chihaya, who attended all three days of the conference:

Hello everybody,

I got back from the Sydney conference today.
The conference was fantastic.
Dr. Bob Bowman was really powerful!!
Dave vonKleist was so funny.

Great to see an Aussie scientist(chemist, Dr. Frank Legge who worked for the Department of Agriculture for years) and engineer (David Leifer from Sydney University) saying the official story is just "impossible."

Too many stories to tell and write but I'm simply extremely TIRED (have been limping a bit) and need to get some rest.

John Bursill the organizer kindly gave me five minutes on Friday night to sing "George the Killer" and my new song "September 11th was an Inside Job!" People there loved it! Also, John asked me to join the forum on activism on Sunday. It was my great pleasure to tell the crowd what they can do in daily life to spread the truth.

Also when I sang my song to Ian Woods of Global Outlook and Adam of Mathaba.net on Sunday night privately, Ian was moved to TEARS!!

One more thing... I was glad that they invited Ed Griffin. He saw my passion for some reason and encouraged me to join his group.

When I questioned the panel on "how to wake up super pathetic peace activists," I noticed that he was looking at me very intensely. It was kinda scary... Anyhow, he seems to have a lot to tell. Will be interesting to learn more about what he said in his lecture, depending on my time and energy... I think for some his talk could have been way too much to absorb.

I found some truthers, including an 'expert' as well as a truther from LA, that had the same view as mine when we talked about that Global Warming Swindle.

It was really unfortunate that somebody PINCHED the last copy of "Children of the Gulf War" by Takashi Morizumi. It was my personal copy that I had on a table for people to take a look at. That was really disappointing. I hope whoever took it will show it around to as many people as possible.

One last thing, Bob Bowman praised that book "Shell Game" though we'd better wait for the second edition that will include Bob's corrections.

Chihaya

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You can also check out this story that was posted directly after his speech on Mathaba.net, a very good alternative news source.

http://mathaba.net/0_index.shtml?x=585559