Kumamoto declared itself a City of Peace on July 27, 1995—working together with our citizens to promote initiatives that convey the tragedies of war and the preciousness of peace, and to strive toward the realization of a peaceful society.

Kumamoto, in the previous war, was afflicted by great devastation—losing many precious lives and seeing much of the city reduced to ashes.

  Since the postwar period, Kumamoto has continued to develop steadily as a central hub of Kyushu—drawing on the wisdom and tireless efforts of our citizens who rose from the scorched earth, all while being supported by a rich natural environment of greenery and water, as well as a history and culture cultivated by our ancestors.

We, the citizens of Kumamoto, on this significant milestone marking the 50th anniversary of the postwar period, express our deep remorse over the previous war. Determined to build a peaceful and prosperous society for the future and to pass on our irreplaceable natural environment to the next generation, we pledge never to repeat the tragedies of war and yearn for the realization of lasting world peace—a universal aspiration of all humankind. Thus, we hereby declare Kumamoto a City of Peace.