Mentalist DaiGo cut off the act of sending a thousand paper cranes to Ukraine on Twitter as “kindness that does not understand the feelings of the other party is just a nuisance.”
The thousand paper cranes are treated as a symbol of peace in Japan. However, there is often debate over the donation. It has been pointed out that even if a large number of people are sent to the victims, it may be a “thank you”.
10 million birds a year in “Children’s Peace Monument”
Prior to DaiGo, Hiroyuki, the founder and businessman of 2channel (currently 5channel), tweeted a question about sending a thousand paper cranes to Ukraine. In line with this, DaiGo criticizes “madness,” “ego,” and “fool’s behavior.”
Many people have sent thousand paper cranes to areas in Japan that were once hit by war and disasters. It goes without saying that it is an act of good intentions, but if it is sent from all over the world every year, naturally a large number of thousand paper cranes will accumulate. A place is required to continue storage, and labor costs and other expenses for various operations are required.
One of the places where a thousand paper cranes gather most in Japan is the “Children’s Peace Monument” in the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima City. According to the official website of Hiroshima City, 10 million origami cranes weighing 10 tons or more are gathered annually from Japan and abroad.
We interviewed the person in charge of inheriting the atomic bombing experience, Peace Promotion Division, International Peace Promotion Department, Hiroshima City Citizens Bureau, which accepts this huge amount. It is said that the storage period of folded paper cranes is about one year.
After that, it will be distributed if requested by the citizens. According to the person in charge, the number of folded paper cranes sent has decreased due to the corona, but the cost of transportation for storage and distribution to those who wish to use it is about 2.5 million yen per year.
When distributing, 1 bag, about 10 kg unit. Regarding examples of utilization at the transfer destination, he answered that it would be recycled as a product of “folded paper crane recycled paper” and used for events. These efforts began in 2012. It is said that it was decided when the citizens solicited the utilization method in the previous year.
It was stored and managed until 2011, and was incinerated until 1999.