On April 24, 2004, Ichikawa Peace Festival was held in Ichikawa City, Chiba, the birthplace of the World Peace Prayer Movement initiated by Masahisa Goi half a century ago. This event was made possible by the municipality of Ichikawa and many local groups and organizations responding to Goi Peace Foundation’s call to “take action for the future of the Earth.” More than 1500 participants including Governor of Chiba Ms. Akiko Domoto and Mayor of Ichikawa Mr. Mitsuyuki Chiba filled the Ichikawa City Cultural Hall.

Following greetings by Governor Domoto, Goi Peace Foundation president Hiroo Saionji gave an introduction of the peace movement started in Ichikawa and the activities of the Foundation dedicated to promoting a culture of peace. Then, Mayor Chiba gave a presentation on the municipality’s efforts to work with its citizens to build a city filled with nature and warmth. He focused on the similarity of the city’s basic policies and the Goi Peace Foundation’s Declaration for All Life on Earth. To honor Ichikawa City as a model city implementing the principles of the Declaration, Mr. Saionji presented a commemorative plaque to the Mayor.

The second half of the Festival opened with a multimedia presentation by children introducing the Declaration for All Life on Earth in their words, followed by Goi Peace Foundation chairperson Masami Saionji’s speech emphasizing the need to change our consciousness for a sustainable future. Then, all participants joined their voices in the World Peace Prayer Ceremony, as the local boy scouts and girl scouts raised the flags of all nations while the images of various countries were cast on a giant screen.

A minute of silent meditation shared by all participants was quietly opened by “Ave Maria” sang by Ms. Sai Yen Guan, a world-renowned Chinese soprano singer and a resident of Ichikawa. In the World Peace Concert that followed, she sang songs from various cultures, carrying our prayers for peace to all corners of the world on her celestial voice. Children from the Ichikawa Civic Musical Choir as well as the audience joined in the finale song “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” ending the day with united hearts and a renewed commitment to peace.