From March 25 to 27, 2026, JCCU and the Okinawa Prefectural Consumers' Co-operative Union jointly held the "Peace Action in Okinawa - the 43rd Okinawa old battlefield and American Military base tour" as an opportunity to learn about the realities of the Battle of Okinawa and the base issues facing Okinawa today and to think about peace.

This year's theme was "Beyond 80 Years After the War: What Does Peace Mean? - Passing on the Truth of the Battle of Okinawa." A record-high 268 co-op members and staff, including 45 children, representing 42 consumer co-ops from 34 prefectures across Japan, gathered to participate in study sessions, lectures, and fieldwork activities.

Day One: Performances and Educational Lectures
The first day featured theatrical performances and educational lectures.
The program began with a stage performance by local elementary, junior high, and high school students based on the story of the Tsushima Maru evacuation ship. Through their performance, they conveyed messages of peace from the children and teachers who had been aboard the ship to people living today. Participants watched attentively as the students combined drama, dance, and song to tell the tragic story.
Tsushima Maru was an evacuation ship carrying Okinawan civilians to mainland Japan in 1944 as ground battles approached Okinawa. While en route, it was sunk by a U.S. submarine torpedo attack, resulting in the loss of many lives. Approximately half of the victims were children.

During the educational lecture, a woman who had experienced the Battle of Okinawa at the age of ten shared her personal story. She explained that she had originally been scheduled to board the Tsushima Maru, but her grandmother worried about sending her away alone and ultimately prevented her from boarding. During the Battle of Okinawa, she lost her grandmother, father, and brother. Reflecting on her experiences, she emphasized:
"The stronger our conviction that war must never happen, the greater our power to stop it."
As she spoke, occasionally holding back tears, many participants were deeply moved, with some shedding tears themselves.

Breakout Sessions
In the second half of the day, participants divided into two groups: an adult-centered course and a family-centered course.
In the adult-centered course, Professor MAEDOMARI Hiromori of the Okinawa International University graduate school delivered a lecture titled "Examining 81 Years After the War: International Affairs and Japan-U.S. Relations." He explained the current situation surrounding military bases in Okinawa and discussed broader regional security issues. Participants learned that maintaining peace in East Asia is a critically important issue not only for Okinawa but also for people living throughout Japan.

Meanwhile, participants in the family-centered course attended a one-person theatrical performance. Through storytelling, songs, and drama, children and adults alike deepened their understanding of war and peace. The children were captivated by the performance, watching with serious expressions as the story unfolded. A sense of concentration filled the venue as participants reflected on the realities of war and the importance of peace.

A stage play performed by local students ranging from elementary to high school

A personal account shared by a survivor of the Battle of Okinawa　　　　　　　　　　

A lecture by Professor MAEDOMARI Hiromori

A one-person theatrical performance　　　　　　　　　

During the fieldwork activities on the second and third days, participants visited historical battle sites and military bases. Guided by peace guides, they toured locations such as Kakazu Hill and Futenma Base, the Himeyuri Tower, the Yamashiro Underground HQ, and the Kompakunotou Tower. Through these visits and explanations, participants deepened their understanding of both the Battle of Okinawa and the ongoing military base issues facing Okinawa today.

Participants receiving an explanation at Kakazu Hill, overlooking Futenma Base

Participants receiving an explanation at the Himeyuri Tower　　　　　　　　　　

Participants receiving an explanation at the Yamashiro Underground HQ

A parent and child participant offering prayers at the Kompakunotou Tower　　　　　　　　　

Participants shared a number of reflections following the program, including:
"I came to realize how precious and miraculous the everyday lives we take for granted truly are."
"I would like to continue passing on what I saw and heard firsthand, as well as the strong feelings I experienced, in my own words to friends and people around me, so that the baton of peace can be carried forward."
"Okinawa is blessed with abundant natural beauty, yet it is also home to many war-related sites and military bases. By visiting these places in person, I was able to feel the tragedy of the Battle of Okinawa and the heavy burden imposed by the military bases. I hope to share what I learned and use these experiences to encourage more people to think about peace as an issue that concerns each of us personally."
These and many other thoughtful comments were received from participants.

JCCU and consumer co-ops across Japan will continue to strengthen their peace initiatives, including the "Peace Action" program, with the aim of passing on the experiences of war to future generations and realizing a peaceful society.