The Peace Boat program was a brainchild of Kiyomi Tsujimoto who in 1983 was angered by Japan's Education Ministry's decision to alter history books by rewriting the Japanese Imperial Army's "invasion" of the Asia-Pacific region into an "advancement."
Thus, for the past several years, Peace Boat has visited places that have suffered from World War II and other wars to talk to the local people. Among the ports the ship has docked are Okinawa, Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan; Shanghai and Nanjing in China; Saipan; the Philippines; Thailand; Vietnam; the former Soviet Union; Kampuchea and Inchon in South Korea.
A very hectic program is prepared at every place where the ship docks. Activities on land include discussions on relevant issues affecting a country (i.e. the cause and effect of poverty, political change and listening to the local people's World War II experiences). Peace Boat tries to provide a balanced picture of a country's realities. Aside from visiting "must-see" sightseeing spots, participants are exposed to the nation's seedy quarters and places frequented by the underprivileged locals. Another facet of the Peace Boat program is finding out about the realities and effects of Japanese companies branching out overseas.
In 1990, the ship has embarked on its first round-the-world cruise with several short and midterm cruise plans offered for those who want to join and leave midway through such voyage. In its past round-the-world cruise, Peace Boat has visited Miami's "Little Havana " housing Cuban refugees, had talks with the Sandinistas in Nicaragua, docked at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii where the first sparks of World War II took place and visited PLO headquarters in Tunisia. Most of the ship's itinerary are former war-ravaged countries as Peace Boat's main objective is to work for world peace by learning the lessons of past wars.
Peace Boat participants come from all walks of life. Nationality is no factor. In the past voyages, the eldest participant was 85 years old, the youngest, 2 years. Anybody can join as long as they are willing to participate in the activities.
Peace Boat is a traveling community where friendships and solidarity among peoples of the world can help minimize global conflicts not only in the present but the generations to come.
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