February 24, 2022: Russia invades Ukraine, followed by threats to use nuclear weapons. With tensions rising around the world, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in Sweden, announced that the risk of nuclear weapons being used seems higher now than at any time since the height of the Cold War, and although marginal decreases in the overall number of nuclear warheads have been realized until now, nuclear arsenals are expected to grow over the coming decade. We are currently facing the harsh reality of increasing tensions in the global security environment. As the only country to have suffered atomic bombings Japan has a special role to play in sending out a message to the world about the horrors of nuclear weapons. I have a strong sense that now is the time to send out a clear and stark message towards a world free of nuclear weapons. The poster boldly features just typography, with the message “NO NUKES NO WAR HIROSHIMA APPEALS 2022” forming the main visuals in a design featuring dynamic letters and numerals. The letter “O” and the number “0” on this poster have been stylized as yellow circles. The circular shape is described as “wa” in Japanese, which is also the same pronunciation as the Japanese word meaning peace, or harmony. As both of these words are pronounced the same way, the “wa” in this design holds a dual significance in its message to the world. It symbolizes a ray of hope for the future that we can attain peace and overcome these dark and difficult times. It is my dearest wish that each and every one of us will light up the hope in our hearts and come together so that we can spread as many rays of hope as possible, and that the activities of Hiroshima Appeals will make a contribution, however small, to world peace.