Prolife：Mr. Shiro Suzuki 
Born in Dejimamachi, Nagasaki City. A graduate of the University of Tokyo Faculty of Law. Joined the Ministry of Transport (now the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) in 1991. Served in divisions related to transportation and tourism, as well as the Japan Coast Guard and the Cabinet Office’s International Peace Cooperation Headquarters. Retired in December 2022 as Director-General of the Kyushu District Transport Bureau. In April 2023, he assumed office as the 36th Mayor of Nagasaki. As a second-generation atomic bomb survivor, he actively conveys the message of the atomic-bombed city both in Japan and abroad, aiming to make Nagasaki the last city to ever suffer a nuclear attack. 

Prolife：Ms. Chinami Hirabayashi 
Visiting Researcher at the Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition, Nagasaki University (RECNA) and an elementary school teacher in Nagasaki City. Born in Nagasaki in 2000. Graduate of Nagasaki University’s Faculty of Education and its Graduate School of Education. Former delegate of the 11th and 12th cohorts of the Nagasaki Youth Delegation. As a third-generation atomic bomb survivor, she is engaged in peace-related research and advocacy. 

1. How did you think about and engage in dialogue before becoming mayor? 

Hirabayashi: 
Thank you very much for joining me today, Mayor Suzuki. To begin, I’d like to ask how you viewed the importance of dialogue, and how you practiced it, prior to assuming your current role as mayor. 

Mayor Suzuki: 
Before becoming mayor, I served as a national government official. When I joined the ministry, it was still called the Ministry of Transport, which is now known as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. After graduating from university, I spent over 30 years in government service. Among the values I held most dear during that time was the importance of listening to voices on the ground. There’s a saying in Japan: “The answers lie in the field.” I firmly believed in that. I made it a point to go directly to the field myself, to see things with my own eyes, and to listen to the people working there. I also made a habit of asking questions and engaging in dialogue on site. There are many things you simply cannot see from behind a desk in Kasumigaseki, where the office is located. But when you go to the site, you begin to uncover the real issues and sometimes, the breakthroughs. Every time I encountered such moments, I was reminded just how essential dialogue with those on the front lines truly is. 

Hirabayashi: 
Could you tell me about the kinds of field settings in which you engaged in dialogue? 

Mayor Suzuki: 
Certainly. For instance, when I was involved in transportation policy, I would speak directly with members of the public who used public transport, as well as the operators and service providers running those systems. Dialogue in the field meant talking with the people who actually relied on those services, and those who kept them running day to day. Of my more than 30 years as a government official, I spent around eight years working with the Japan Coast Guard. That was perhaps the most field-oriented assignment I held. The Coast Guard functions as both the police and fire department of the sea. Preventing maritime accidents and conducting rescue operations are among their most critical missions. And the scenes of those operations—places where problems may arise—are the very front lines of their work. That is why I believed it was essential to confirm, with my own eyes, what was truly happening on the ground, and to speak with those involved. I am not a sailor myself, but I often boarded vessels. It was only by doing so that I came to truly understand what happens at sea. 

Hirabayashi: 
I understand that you were also involved in work related to peace during your time as a national government official. 

Mayor Suzuki: 
Yes, in that regard, I was seconded from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to the Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters in the Cabinet Office. This office is responsible for coordinating Japan’s international peace cooperation activities, such as participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKO), as well as logistical and material support efforts. During that assignment, I was engaged in various responsibilities, including human resource development for peacebuilding and the provision of humanitarian aid to people displaced by conflict. It is often difficult to visit conflict zones during times of active fighting. For example, when we provided emergency supplies such as tents, sleeping bags, and water tanks to those affected in the Gaza Strip, it was not possible to enter the area directly. However, I made it a priority to visit the logistical hubs for relief supplies located in neighboring Egypt, where I could speak with those involved and listen to voices on the ground as much as possible. 

2. How have you put dialogue into practice since becoming mayor? 

Hirabayashi: 
You brought with you those rich experiences of dialogue when you assumed office as mayor in April 2023. 

Mayor Suzuki: 
Indeed, since becoming mayor, I have felt even more strongly the importance of listening to voices on the ground. As a basic local government, the city administration is the level of government closest to its residents, which means that citizens’ voices reach us directly and often immediately. 

We receive a wide range of requests and feedback regarding city administration—for example, concerns like, “This road hasn’t been properly maintained; it’s still uneven—please fix it.” And when we are able to respond effectively, we also quickly hear words of appreciation like “Thank you.” That closeness highlights the importance of conducting city administration through dialogue. To that end, I have been holding town hall meetings across different areas of Nagasaki. I sit in a circle with citizens, and I listen directly to their opinions and concerns regarding the city. I make it a point to create as many of these opportunities for dialogue as possible. 

Social media is also a powerful tool. When we share information through social media, we receive reactions from all over the world almost instantly. I believe that this kind of digital dialogue is extremely valuable, and I treat it with great importance. 

Hirabayashi: 
Thank you very much. In your recent efforts, are there any particular aspects of dialogue that you have been consciously focusing on? 

Mayor Suzuki: 
First and foremost, I would say listening. In any dialogue, the ability to listen is absolutely essential. I believe former Prime Minister Kishida also emphasized the importance of listening, and I truly agree with that sentiment. 

Even when people believe they are communicating clearly, it is not always the case that their words are fully understood by the other person. This is only natural—after all, people come from different positions and backgrounds, and even when the same words are used, they may carry slightly different meanings. That is why, in dialogue, it is important not only to listen, but also to ask clarifying questions—for example, “Did you mean this when you said that?” This often leads to further explanation, allowing both parties to better understand each other. That kind of back-and-forth is incredibly important. 

So in any dialogue, I first listen carefully to what the other person says, and then engage in a sort of conversation—exchanging thoughts to ensure we both understand. I place great importance on confirming what the speaker truly intends to convey with their words. 

3. What does dialogue mean to you in the context of Nagasaki’s pursuit of peace and nuclear abolition? 

Hirabayashi: 
Thank you. I’d like to move on to the next question. In last year’s Peace Declaration, the word “dialogue” featured prominently. What does dialogue mean to you in the context of Nagasaki’s vision for peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons? 

Mayor Suzuki: 
As I mentioned earlier, “the answers lie in the field.” I truly believe that there are things one can only understand by being present at the site, and that there are messages that can only be conveyed from those on the ground. That is why, as a city that suffered the atomic bombing, I feel deeply that it is our responsibility to communicate the reality of what happened here in Nagasaki. Because of that belief, I place great importance on encouraging people to come to the site of the bombing itself. When visitors view the exhibits at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, or when they hear the testimonies of atomic bomb survivors, they not only see and hear, but also feel the reality with their own hearts. It is only through such direct experience that true understanding begins to take shape. 

This is also something we have called for in the Peace Declaration—we sincerely hope that as many people as possible will visit Nagasaki. In particular, I would very much like to encourage leaders and decision-makers from around the world to come to the atomic-bombed city and witness the reality for themselves. This is a message I will continue to share going forward. 

4. What does the term “global citizen” mean to you? 

Hirabayashi: 
I believe that seeing with one’s own eyes, listening with one’s own ears, and feeling with one’s own heart—and ultimately making it personal—is incredibly important. In last year’s Peace Declaration, the phrase “as global citizens” was used, and here in Nagasaki, we’ve seen events such as the Global Citizens’ Festival taking place. The term “global citizen” seems to be naturally taking root in Nagasaki. For RECNA’s Dialogue Project as well, it has become a key concept. How do you interpret the meaning of “global citizen” as expressed from Nagasaki? 

Mayor Suzuki: 
Nagasaki, historically, has been a gateway between Japan and the world. During the Edo period, it was home to Dejima, Japan’s only open port to the West. Western knowledge and items first entered Japan through Nagasaki, and likewise, Japanese culture and goods went out into the world from Nagasaki. Through this unique history, I believe the people of Nagasaki developed a spirit of openness and tolerance toward other cultures and peoples. 

Then, in 1945, Nagasaki became one of the cities to suffer the devastation of the atomic bomb. That is why I believe we must convey the reality of the bombing across all borders—transcending nationality, race, and ethnicity—and come together, as if we were all living in the same town on this planet, to share our desire for peace through dialogue. 

It is this kind of connection—this kind of conversation—that I believe is truly necessary. I use the term “global citizen” to express this aspiration and the actions that accompany it. 

5. What are your hopes for the future of dialogue among the next generation in Nagasaki? 

Hirabayashi: 
RECNA’s Dialogue Project uses the phrase “Open Nagasaki 2.0” as its slogan, and I feel that aligns closely with what you have just shared. If I may move on to the next question, dialogue has always been a core value of the Nagasaki Youth Delegation as well. During my time in the 11th and 12th cohorts, we held dialogue-themed events in both Vienna and Geneva. At last year’s inaugural Nagasaki Peace-preneur Forum—a peace-focused session of One Young World hosted in Nagasaki—the circle of dialogue expanded, especially among younger generations. What are your thoughts or expectations for the growth of such dialogue platforms and initiatives in Nagasaki moving forward? 

Mayor Suzuki: 
I truly appreciate the efforts being made by the younger generation. We’re seeing more and more initiatives and opportunities for dialogue related to peace, and I believe this is incredibly important. When it comes to the major goal of abolishing nuclear weapons, if we present it in too grand or formal a manner, it can be difficult to engage a broader audience. 

That’s why I believe it’s essential to foster a broader sense of empathy through what we call a culture of peace. By using art, sports, and other cultural avenues as entry points—things that people can enjoy and be moved by—we can help others experience the value of peace in a natural, heartfelt way. We are actively promoting this culture of peace, and I hope that through these efforts, more and more young people will come to appreciate the importance of peace. Even those who may not usually take an interest in peace-related issues can be reached through cultural experiences. In this way, I believe we can increase opportunities for people to reflect on peace and expand the base of engagement. I have high hopes for the continued growth of these efforts. 

The very presence of nuclear weapons in our world forces us to reckon with the possibility that the peace we currently enjoy could vanish at any time. That awareness is crucial. In that sense, I find it very encouraging to see so many peace-related activities taking place here in Nagasaki, especially when viewed as part of a broader strategy to expand the movement for nuclear abolition through the culture of peace. We, too, are committed to supporting and encouraging the younger generation who are working so hard on these efforts. 

Hirabayashi: 
Thank you very much. I understand that you have traveled abroad many times and are also active in Mayors for Peace. When you share messages of peace or talk about Nagasaki’s culture internationally, are there things you’re particularly mindful of, especially in conveying not just the history of the atomic bombing, but also Nagasaki’s many other charms? 

Mayor Suzuki: 
Yes, I believe it is very significant to first understand the values and perspectives of others. Only then can we begin to find common ground. It’s not about forcing our ideas on anyone, but rather about building mutual understanding, empathy, and shared meaning. I’ve found that when we succeed in creating that sense of empathy, our message of peace resonates much more deeply. And in order to evoke empathy, I think the most effective approach is to help others truly get to know Nagasaki. Of course, the reality of the atomic bombing is essential to share. But alongside that, I want people to understand what kind of city Nagasaki is today. 

Nagasaki has so much to offer—its rich history, vibrant culture, beautiful natural environment, and incredible food. Above all, though, it’s the warmth and character of the people that make Nagasaki truly special. Through sharing these many facets of Nagasaki, I hope we can inspire even greater empathy for our desire for peace. 

（Interview conducted on March 25, 2025） 

Tentative translation by RECNA