Explanation of the Promotion Video for the G7 Hiroshima Summit
Stop-motion animation featuring the art of papercutting with traditional Japanese colors and washi paper introduces the G7 Hiroshima Summit.
When the lines advancing from either side of the screen meet, the curtain rises on the world of papercutting.
Spring. Young cherry trees softly appear in an empty white space.
The saplings gradually mature and then bud. The scene widens to a boulevard lined with cherry trees springing into bloom together.
A woman wearing a kimono strolls gently forth.
Flower petals flutter around her as Mt. Fuji comes into view.
As the Shinkansen (bullet train) speeds past Mt. Fuji, the stage shifts to Hiroshima, with Hiroshima Castle visible through the train window.
A colored carp frolics in the moat surrounding the castle.
The intricate carp intents on splashing into the water grace a candle-lit paper lantern, which slowly floats down Motoyasu River. A lovely summer tradition in Hiroshima.
Gentle morning light illuminates the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, Atomic Bomb Dome, and Children’s Peace Monument that line the far shore.
Cyclists appear, covered in flowers, riding along the Shimanami Kaido.
The seaside cycling route transforms into Hiroshima lemon - the regional specialty.
The juice of lemon drops into the Seto Inland Sea, splashing water droplets that whirl into maple leaves.
The leaves flitter upon the wind, seeking Itsukushima Shrine on an autumn day. A Noh actor dances among the bright red autumn leaves.
The season turns to winter. A skier is swishing through powder snow.
When the snow plumes clear, steam appears rising above an open-air hot spring bath.
A snowflake melts as it lands on the hot spring water, creating the traditional wave pattern that ripples on the surface of the hot water.
The waves reawaken Mt. Fuji, which rises to join landmarks of Japan and participating G7 countries as they successively appear.
Japanese landmarks
(1) Mt. Fuji (2) Hiroshima Castle (3) Tokyo Skytree (4) Kaminarimon Gate (5) Five-storied pagoda (6) Kamakura Great Buddha
French landmarks
(1) Versailles Palace (2) Arc de Triomphe (3) Eiffel Tower (4) Mont Saint-Michel (5) Palais Garnier Opera House (6) Louvre Museum
American landmarks
(1) Hollywood Sign (2) Gateway Arch (3) Space Needle (4) Statue of Liberty (5) Golden Gate Bridge (6) National Mall
British landmarks
(1) British Museum (2) St. Paul's Cathedral (3) Big Ben (4) Stonehenge (5) Buckingham Palace (6) Tower of London
German landmarks
(1) Neuschwanstein Castle (2) Berlin TV Tower (3) Brandenburg Gate (4) Cologne Cathedral (5) Berlin Cathedral (6) Eltz Castle
Italian landmarks
(1) Colosseum (2) Castel dell’Ovo (3) Leaning Tower of Pisa (4) Campanile (5) Basilica of Santa Maria Novella (6) Arch of Peace (7) Pantheon
Canadian landmarks
(1) Canadian Rockies (2) Cabot's Tower (3) CN Tower (4) Montreal Olympic Stadium (5) Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal (6) Manitoba Legislative [Assembly] Building
Seven origami cranes flap their wings as they fly over the landmarks.
Seven children reach out to catch the origami cranes.
The globe appears in front of the children.
The words G7 HIROSHIMA SUMMIT 2023 appear.
Papercutting animation of the G7 Hiroshima Summit 2023 logo.
The G7 Hiroshima Summit 2023 logo.