Last Memo

Yoshito Tokunaga

Some time after the cat left, the last memo was found strapped to the leg of a dove.

　The last memo tied to a pigeon's leg 　　

　Why do we feel so much pain when we hear about the massacres that repeatedly overrun the innocent Gaza people, the damage done to the Ukrainian people, the grief of the Israeli victims and their families, and the problems of the neglected African child soldiers?

　Because even though we are aware of this problem, we allow even more children to be killed. If we pretend not to notice, they will continue to make huge profits by sacrificing the lives of their children, taking advantage of the fact that the mass media does not reach the greedy evil. If we fail to resolve it, we will victimize our children again. We have this very big thorn in our hearts. So why has education imparted this knowledge to us?

　Why? It is because we want you to think of solutions that do not depend on force. Our weapon is the number of thinking hearts.

　Well, let's start with me. To solve these problems without using force, the world's people need two things. The negotiating table and negotiating power. In fact, we already have bargaining power. That is the power of the masses who use SNS.

　So next, is there a table for us to negotiate with?

　Unfortunately, we cannot negotiate directly with those in power. The president can smile at us, but the president, who has already consolidated many interests, cannot implement our opinions.

　If the negotiating partner is a billionaire who has chosen him, the president will coordinate the interests of countries around the world and carry out the billionaire's wishes. He will do it even if it means the death of other countries' children in war. So, can we negotiate as equals with powerful people with enormous wealth? If you were like the hero of the novel, you could do it. But I can't. So, is there no negotiating table for us in this world? No, the world isn't designed that way. Thinking is the most important thing.

　Well, I found one answer. The blood that flows through the body of capitalism, the organs where the blood of money pools. Yes, it's a bank. Why are banks the negotiating partner?

　We all have salary or pension accounts. These deposits are very important, and when we move them, banks make less money. We are free to choose and move these deposits to any bank.

　In other words, banks can be negotiating partners. The military industry around the world, as a corporation, also depends on bank loans to run its business. For us, which bank we entrust our money to is of great moral importance today.

　We should be a yacht called Peace. Even though the winds of war may tilt us to the right or to the left, it is important to frequently shift the weight of our funds so that we do not capsize and endanger the children of the world. If we are serious about which banks we deposit our money in, it will be harder for the military industry to get funds, at least from our deposits.

　And, I would add, universities and students, through their research, should cooperate with each other and investigate the banks that fund the military industry. And every year, they should publish it to us in a manner that ensures global fairness.

　These mechanisms are essential to reducing child casualties from war. It is important to remember the children who die in combat zones.

　If each of us has compassion for the children of other countries, the key to turning the world around will surely be found through human thinking. How society uses the key will determine how far the door to future peace will open.