Latest news with #KatsutoshiTakeda
The National
7 days ago
- General
- The National
Scottish activists mark 80 years since atomic bombings
A vigil, organised by the Glasgow branch of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), was held at the opening of the "Peace Garden" in the city's Botanic Gardens on Wednesday morning. Campaigners held banners reading "Peace", "Hiroshima 6 Aug 1945 Never Again" and "Scotland: Safer without nuclear weapons", while a group of singers from Protest in Harmony sang a number of songs calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons. (Image: NQ) (Image: NQ) (Image: NQ) The Peace Garden, which is located near the entrance of the Botanics, was opened to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Glasgow Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren and Katsutoshi Takeda, the consul general of Japan, based in the Edinburgh embassy. It features the sapling of a Gingko tree – planted by Takeda and McLaren – which was raised from the seed of a tree which survived the Hiroshima bombing. Glasgow Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren and Katsutoshi Takeda, the consul general of Japan (Image: NQ) The United States dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagaski on August 6 and 9 in 1945, leading to the end of World War Two with Japan's surrender. The bombs killed more than 200,000 people, with the Hiroshima bomb killing more than 140,000 people, including 38,000 children. Speaking to The National, Glasgow CND chair Jean Anderson said that while "the world is in a terrible state", projects such as the new Peace Garden "give people hope and something positive to do". READ MORE: Otter cubs rescued from side of 'very busy road' by quick thinking festival goer Anderson said that while the group hoped the project will educate people about the bombings, it will also teach people "that violence and hatred is not the greatest way to solve a problem, that real adults discuss things and they work out a better way of doing things". Lynn Jamieson, Scottish CND chair, commented: "I'm here to remember all of the victims and the survivors of Hiroshima, and the one wish that the survivors have is for nuclear weapons to be banned so that this never happens again. I'm here to carry their message forward." (Image: Scottish CND) Also among those in attendance was Patrick Harvie, Scottish Greens co-leader and MSP for Glasgow. Speaking to The National, Harvie said: "I grew up near Faslane, very aware of the threat and the nightmare of nuclear warfare. "Anything that we can do that not only commemorates what happened in the past, but reminds us that this is still a threat in the here and now and that we collectively – all of us in Scotland, throughout the UK, Europe and the world – need to take responsibility if we want to prevent such atrocities happening again. "It's lovely to have an event like this on our own doorstep, and I hope that there are similar events right around communities across Scotland." READ MORE: Ian Blackford to give shock return in Kate Forbes seat 'careful consideration' Scottish CND organised a number of other vigils across Scotland to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings, in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Paisley, Stirling and Ayrshire. There are countries which are armed with nuclear weapons: The UK, the US, Russia, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea. Israel has not officially confirmed or denied that it is in possession of nuclear weapons, but it is widely acknowledged that it has the capability to produce and deploy them. The UK's nuclear weapons are held in Scotland, at the HMND Clyde Faslane naval base in Helensburgh. Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) called for immediate action to eliminate nuclear weapons. Melissa Parke, ICAN executive director, attended a memorial event in Hiroshima alongside survivors – or hibakusha, as they are known in Japan – who have been involved in campaigning against nuclear weapons. Following the service, Parke said: "It is not possible to come to Hiroshima and attend these solemn commemorations without being moved as well as convinced of the urgent need for nuclear weapons to be eliminated. "The hibakusha, who were awarded last year's Nobel Peace Prize for their tenacious campaigning for the elimination of nuclear weapons deserve to see their work vindicated and to witness the end of these inhumane, indiscriminate weapons of total destruction in their lifetime." Parke added: "That means the nine nuclear-armed countries, most of which were represented here today, must heed their call to join the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and get rid of their arsenals.'
Daily Record
13-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Young people in West Lothian tasked with designing alternative uses for heat pumps
The renewables sector in Scotland is in need of a wave of new blood Innovative teenagers in West Lothian are being asked to think outside the box and design an alternative use for heat pumps. It's part of the annual 'Pump It Up' school challenge and pupils at nine of the local authority's secondary schools are taking part. The venture is a joint one between Livingston-based Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe and the West Lothian Chamber of Commerce. The aim is to bring industry and schools closer together with S3 pupils being asked to combine their technical knowledge and imagination to come up with an innovative way to use a heat pump. The renewables sector in Scotland is in need of a wave of new blood and it's hoped that in the process of developing their skills, the challenge will ultimately helped the youngsters' career journeys. The finals event will take place at Howden Park Centre on Thursday, June 19 from 4:30pm to 7pm, with special guests set to include the Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh, Mr Katsutoshi Takeda, Mr Hattori Taro, President, Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe, Dr Elaine Cook, Depute Chief Executive West Lothian Council and Provost Cathy Muldoon. Rodney Ayre, Senior Department Manager, Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe, added: 'The collaboration between high schools and academies in West Lothian, Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe Ltd and West Lothian Chamber of Commerce encourages young people to consider heat pump technology in innovative new ways, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. 'The success of the project has given our local community a greater awareness of what we do, while providing a platform for talented young individuals within each school to research, study, plan and create products that may form part of the future, increasing real life skills, environmental awareness and the visualisation of alternative potential careers journeys.' Linda Scott, West Lothian Chamber of Commerce chief executive said: 'This competition is all about encouraging Scotland's younger generation to think outside the box and come up with clever and innovative ideas that give them a greater understanding of technology and sustainable energy. 'Ultimately, we are looking to help our younger generations learn and develop new skills and competitions such as these are great for this because they tap into a number of different skill sets such as creativity and teamwork.'
Edinburgh Reporter
11-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian pupils aiming to ‘Pump it Up'
Pupils in West Lothian are being given the chance to design an alternative use for a heat pump as part of the annual 'Pump It Up' school challenge. Taking part in the competition will be nine of the region's secondary schools, which is being run as a joint venture between Livingston-based Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe and the West Lothian Chamber of Commerce. The aim is to bring industry and schools closer together with S3 pupils being asked to combine their technical knowledge and imagination to come up with an innovative way to use a heat pump. The renewables sector in Scotland is in need of a wave of new blood and it's hoped that in the process of developing their skills, the challenge will ultimately helped the youngsters' career journeys going forward. Winners will be announced at the finals event at Howden Park Centre on Thursday 19 June (4:30pm – 7pm). Special guests are set to include the Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh, Mr Katsutoshi Takeda, Mr Hattori Taro, President, Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe, Dr Elaine Cook, Depute Chief Executive West Lothian Council and Provost Cathy Muldoon. Linda Scott (pictured), West Lothian Chamber of Commerce chief executive said: 'This competition is all about encouraging Scotland's younger generation to think outside the box and come up with clever and innovative ideas that give them a greater understanding of technology and sustainable energy. 'Ultimately, we are looking to help our younger generations learn and develop new skills and competitions such as these are great for this because they tap into a number of different skill sets such as creativity and teamwork.' Rodney Ayre, Senior Department Manager, Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe, added: 'The collaboration between high schools and academies in West Lothian, Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe Ltd and West Lothian Chamber of Commerce encourages young people to consider heat pump technology in innovative new ways, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. 'The success of the project has given our local community a greater awareness of what we do, while providing a platform for talented young individuals within each school to research, study, plan and create products that may form part of the future, increasing real life skills, environmental awareness and the visualisation of alternative potential careers journeys.' Like this: Like Related
