THE ATOM PROJECT PRESENTED IN TOKYO

Astana, November 19: On November 19, the Japanese press centre in Tokyo hosted the exhibition of paintings of KaripbekKuyukov, a famous artist and the Honorary Ambassador of the ATOM Project as part of the Project presentation in Japan.

    Members of the Japanese Diet (Parliament), representatives of key state agencies, large companies, the media, and heads of the country’s well-known anti-nuclear movements and organisations attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition. Wife of the Prime Minister of Japan, Akie Abe, was the guest of honour.

    Opening the event, Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Japan Akylbek Kamaldinov noted the historical significance of the decision of President Nursultan Nazarbaev to close down the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. He told distinguished guests about Kazakhstan’s continued contribution to strengthening global security, including a new international initiative of the head of state, the ATOM Project.

    In his speech, member of the House of Councillors of the National Diet of Japan Kazuyuki Hamada emphasised the President of Kazakhstan’s great contribution in the establishment of a world free from nuclear weapons, as well as efforts of Central Asian countries to establish a nuclear weapons free zone in the region.

    Speaking at the event, artist and designer Hiromi Inayoshi, head of the Japanese Project “Picture Book without Picture,” said “the artist is not a person who is ready to start a war: art can help build a safer world.”

    In discussions with guests at the presentation,Kuyukov invited the Japanese Prime Minister wife’s to visit Kazakhstan and personally get acquainted with the contribution of Kazakhstan to nuclear disarmament, and also strengthen relations with our country.

    According to Mrs. Abe, “KaripbekKuyukov’s paintings inspire people to fight for the world without nuclear weapons. It would be great if art reaches its goal and the world rids itself of nuclear weapons.” Later, commenting about the event and about the meeting with the two artists on her Facebook personal account Mrs. Abe added: “The art will change the world!”.

    Guests of the event were unanimous in the opinion that the ATOM Project has great potential to encourage people to take more decisive steps on the way to complete elimination of nuclear weapons.

    In turn, Ambassador-at-large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko noted that the message of the ATOM Project has found support among people from more than 100 countries around the world and that the number of signatories to the project’s online petition has been steadily growing.

    Earlier, on Nov. 18 a private exhibition of Kuyukov took place at the Nippon Foundation.

Overall, the ATOM Project presentation and exhibition of the Kazakhstan artist was visited by more than 2,000 peoplein Tokyo.

    Kuyukov also spoke to professors and students of the famous schools at Keio University and the Ikubunkan Institute. Japanese schoolchildren and students showed keen interest in the consequences of nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk test site, as well as in recent initiatives by Kazakhstan in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

    Note: The presentation of the ATOM Project in Japan is being held on the initiative of Earth Identity Project as part of the art project “Picture Book without Picture.” During the week, events will also be held in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.