Sosuke Uno
Former Prime Minister of Japan
Member of Congress
It is my great priviledge to be here, and I am very pleased with this exhibition of these pictures. I thank everyone who helped to make this occasion a reality.
At the end of World War II, I became a prisoner of the war in Siberia because I was a lieutenant. It was extremely cold place, and I had to work really hard. In winter, there was so much snow, and in the summer, it was really hot. Many brothers died there and did not return to their homeland. Mr. Yoshida drew pictures for a reason. He wants to wish peace for those who died there. This is one of the very powerful ways to tell the next generation about the stupidity and ferocity of war.
Last year, I also looked at his pictures, and I am certain that his dynamic pictures with their real characters will shake people and give them the ability to feel his passion about peace. In his greetings, Mr. Yoshida shows lots of passion about peace so that a war would never happen again. At the end, I would like to show my appreciation for this opportunity because our cultural relations will be stronger with this exhibition.
Russian-English Translation by Margarita and Yuriy Sadoma
