Katawara is a general incorporated association that aims to nurture people who build peace and works to turn the memories of atomic bomb survivors into the memories of the world. It brings experiential, dialogue-based peace education programs to junior and senior high schools across Japan, offering young people who will shape the next society places for dialogue and practice.
Its education work centers on two programs, "Time Traveler" and "Nuclear Weapons and Me." It is also recruiting participants for "Peace Dialogue Studio," described as a program that develops the ability to deepen one's own questions and convey them in one's own words to later generations and communities.
Established in April 2023, it lists peace education and peacebuilding among its purposes. News on its website includes activity reports on an event related to the UN "Peace Circle" and records of its facilitators' growth. It is also introduced as having received the first International Youth Iwasa Award in July 2025.
Key points
- Experiential, dialogue-based peace education programs for junior and senior high schools nationwide
- Spaces such as "Peace Dialogue Studio" that help young people convey ideas in their own words
- Recipient of the first International Youth Iwasa Award in July 2025
Why this organization deserves attention
Its distinctive feature is a style of learning that goes beyond simply listening to survivors' memories, encouraging participants to take them personally through experience and dialogue. It values young people deepening their questions in their own words.
Although it is a new organization, established in 2023, it has been steadily building up education programs and activity reports. With membership, donations and a newsletter available, it seems easy for people who want to learn about peace to take part.
Editor's comment
Opportunities to talk about peace may be rarer than we think. Having a place like Katawara, where people of the same generation bring their questions and talk, is reassuring.
If you are curious, why not look at the programs and participant recruitment information on the official website?