On 28 September 2024, the Soka Gakkai of Spain center hosted an event in Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Madrid to mark the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Organized by the Alianza por el Desarme Nuclear (Alliance for Nuclear Disarmament)—a coalition of over 60 organizations including the Soka Gakkai of Spain, the gathering brought together activists, local leaders and hibakusha to reflect on the path toward establishing  a world free of nuclear weapons.

Among the event’s speakers was Carlos Umaña, Co-President of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), who shared insights into the humanitarian consequences of nuclear conflict. His call for immediate action underscored the urgency of disarmament efforts in an increasingly polarized world.

Aída Castillejo Parrilla, Mayor of Rivas-Vaciamadrid, highlighted the vital role local communities play in global peace initiatives. Her remarks demonstrated how municipalities can serve as catalysts for awareness-raising and policy advocacy, bringing the voices of citizens directly into the global discourse on nuclear disarmament.

Yoshihiro Nakashima, a third-generation hibakusha and member of the Soka Gakkai of Spain, offered a deeply personal perspective. As he recounted the story of his grandfather, who survived the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Nakashima underscored the enduring legacy of those who lived through the devastation and suffered the ensuing effects of radiation. His testimony served as both a poignant reminder of the human cost of nuclear weapons and a determination to ensure that the horrors of the past are never repeated.