Nine Hibakusha, survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who have been designated as Special Communicators for a World without Nuclear Weapons by the Japanese government, will also return with the ship. During the voyage, they worked with Tahitian former nuclear-test-site workers and Australian Aborigines protesting against uranium mining. They recognized themselves as Global Hibakusha?victims of radiation of the nuclear age--and called for a nuclear-free world in the testimonies they shared with people in approximately 20 ports of call around the world.

At the press conference detailed below, Peace Boat will give a summary of the activities and outcomes of the 72nd Voyage. The Hibakusha will also speak about their achievements and perspectives after speaking at the UN in Geneva, participating in a nuclear-free conference for experts in the Middle East, and learning of the Fukushima nuclear crisis while away from home.