Transcript Edition – The 23rd “Oyako Day” Special Live

The 23rd “Oyako Day” Special Live

Guests: Tetsu Nakamura (Organizer of “Oyako Day @ Teganuma Park,” Digital Creator), Kei Endo (Director, Hakone Museum of Photography; Photographer), Miho Morishita (Representative, NPO “World Hibakusha Exhibition”), Naoto Anzai (Secretary-General, the same NPO)
Moderator: Satoru Seki (Editor, Producer)
Hosts: Bruce Osborn (Photographer), Yoshiko Inoue (Oyako Day Promotion Committee)
Organizer: Oyako Day Promotion Committee
Broadcast Date: Sunday, July 27, 2025 – 9:00 (Live)

The 23rd “Oyako Day” Special Live connected with Hakone, where an exhibition was underway, bringing real-time updates from the venue. Guests included Tetsu Nakamura—deeply involved with Oyako Day—and Miho Morishita, winner of the Oyako Day Grand Prize.

In this article, we present highlights from the video.
＜Watch the full video＞

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Participants:

Tetsu Nakamura (Organizer of “Oyako Day @ Teganuma Park,” Digital Creator)

Since 2022, he has hosted “Oyako Day @ Teganuma Park” in Abiko, Chiba. He is deeply involved in Oyako Day, helping build horizontal links among local activity groups and contributing to community development.

Kei Endo (Director, Hakone Museum of Photography; Photographer)

Born in Hakone in 1958. While serving as director of the Hakone Museum of Photography, he presents work in Japan and abroad, including France, and participates in numerous photographic projects.

Miho Morishita (Representative, NPO “World Hibakusha Exhibition”)

She continues the activities of the NPO founded in 2002 by her father, photographer Ittetsu Morishita, advocating for a world free of nuclear weapons.

Naoto Anzai (Secretary-General, NPO “World Hibakusha Exhibition”)

As secretary-general, he organizes photo exhibitions and, from a restored traditional house in Yamanashi, works on building a sustainable local community.

Satoru Seki (Editor, Producer)

Has planned and edited culture magazines such as “POPEYE,” “BRUTUS,” and “Takarajima.” Currently a part-time lecturer (e.g., at Nihon Kogakuin College) and Director of the Stimulus Switch Laboratory. Writes the “Movie Oyako-don” column on the Oyako Day website.

Bruce Osborn (Photographer; Originator of “Oyako Day”)

Began photographing parents and children in 1982. In 2003, proposed making the fourth Sunday of July “Oyako Day.” Received the Higashikuninomiya Culture Prize for the social impact of his photography activities including Oyako Day. Continues to share the message “Present to the Future.”

Yoshiko Inoue (Head of Oyako Day Promotion Committee; Producer; CEO, Ozone Co.)

As Bruce Osborn’s professional and life partner, she has produced many exhibitions and events.

 

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Oyako Day” Special Live—We’re On the Air!

Seki: Hello everyone. It’s Sunday, July 27—the fourth Sunday of July—so it’s Oyako Day itself. Yoshiko, Bruce, congratulations!

Yoshiko Inoue: Today’s Oyako Day photo session is a bit different—we’re streaming from Hayama.

Seki: And today, we’re connecting live with many people from various locations—this is a groundbreaking multi-site broadcast. Bruce, could you introduce some recent photos?

 

Bruce Osborn: This is by Tetsuya Chiba.

Seki: Yes—the famed creator of “Ashita no Joe.”

Bruce Osborn: We visited him.

Yoshiko Inoue: Until now people came to our studio, but from here on we’ll visit the families we’ve met—homes, workplaces—go to their “castles,” so to speak.

Seki: A “Traveling Oyako Day,” then.

Yoshiko Inoue: That’s right. The very first one was at Mr. Chiba’s place.

 

Seki: They both have such great expressions.

Yoshiko Inoue: Exactly—so many treasures. Joe and all… I feel like taking pictures anywhere.

Seki: Truly a trove of masterpieces. “Notari Matsutaro,” too; I was watching from “Harris no Kaze.”

Bruce Osborn: He really loved our T-shirt and wore it.

Seki: I see. I’m excited for more Traveling Oyako Day sessions.

Introducing “Oyako Day” in Abiko

Seki: First, we’re connecting with Mr. Tetsu Nakamura, who hosted Oyako Day in Abiko last week. Hello!

Tetsu Nakamura: Good morning.

Seki: Where are you now?

Tetsu Nakamura: Believe it or not—Hayama.

Seki: It’s calm today. Please tell us how Oyako Day in Abiko went.

Tetsu Nakamura: Sure. Could you put up the photo?

 

Tetsu Nakamura: Abiko has a freshwater lake called Teganuma. We held one activity on the pier by the boat dock. You can see the Oyako Day flag behind us. We had kids join in, holding placards and taking part.

 

Tetsu Nakamura: We started this event in 2022—this was our fourth year. The African drumming group playing djembe that joined us the first time came again. They held an open drumming circle beside the pier where children could join freely. It was wonderful.

 

This is Abiko’s lifelong learning center “Abista.” We reserved almost the whole facility. This is the tatami room, where we lined up picture books for families to read on the mats. Surprisingly, some small children had never experienced tatami. Rolling around while reading together—it turned into a really nice corner.

Seki: Thanks to you, Abiko has more and more events.

Tetsu Nakamura: There are already people doing great things; the key is linking them. When everyone gathers or collaborates, new ideas come up—so I think it’s creating a positive flow.

 

Tetsu Nakamura: This is the cooking workshop—looks like they’re making dumplings.

Seki: How many events were happening simultaneously?

Tetsu Nakamura: Inside Abista we had about ten sessions in total.

Seki: Impressive. Do you plan to continue every year?

Tetsu Nakamura: Yes—my goal is ten years. We’ve done four, so six to go.

Seki: With such popularity, people will say “don’t stop!”

Tetsu Nakamura: We also have support from the city and the board of education. Since it’s a public center, costs are minimal—mainly usage fees and flyers. Each group runs its piece independently when we all gather.

Seki: I see. Thank you—and stay cool!

Tetsu Nakamura: Thank you!

Seki: That was Mr. Nakamura from Abiko’s Oyako Day. He’s heading out to surf now.

Bruce’s Photo Exhibition at the Hakone Art Festival

 

Seki: From Abiko to Hakone—Bruce’s photos are on display at the Hakone Art Festival. Hello, Mr. Endo. Could you introduce yourselves?

Kei Endo: I’m Kei Endo, in charge of the Museum of Photography at the Hakone Museum.

Eiko Endo: I’m Eiko Endo. We launched the Hakone Art Festival, with the Hakone Museum of Photography serving as the secretariat.

Seki: Thank you for joining.

Endo: We started the Hakone Art Festival, and our museum is currently the secretariat.

Seki: I see. You’ll show us around today? What’s the concept this year?

Endo: We now have 27 venues. The concept is to move around Hakone and enjoy art throughout the town.

 

Seki: Here are Bruce’s photos.

Kei Endo: Yes—18 works. We held a Bruce Osborn exhibition at our museum last year, and invited him again this year as a central artist. This facility is Hakone’s Social Education Center—they’ve kindly provided it free of charge.

Eiko Endo: These are Bruce’s works displayed on the second floor—18 works in total across both floors, including large tapestry-style pieces.

 

And here is a work by Tadanori Yokoo in Hakone Town. Facing it is Bruce’s photo of the Yokoo parent-and-child; there’s a space for enjoying the piece. The exhibition runs through August 31, with free admission. Locals love it—his Ultraman photo piece, the portraits of Yuzo Kayama and Ken Uehara are also popular.

Yoshiko Inoue: We’re so grateful to exhibit in such a lovely place. I hope many people will see it.

Seki: It’s 35°C in Tokyo—cooler in Hakone?

Endo: The max here is around 32°C.

Seki: Then it’s a bit of a summer retreat—come see Bruce’s photos, enjoy people, art, and hot springs.

Yoshiko Inoue: It’s wonderful—so much greenery, and places where both kids and adults can play. Please come!

Seki: I’ll visit during summer.

Endo: We’ll be waiting.

A Message from Bruce’s Daughter, Mika

 

Seki: Since it’s Oyako Day, Bruce’s daughter Mika and her family are joining us. Hello—where are you today?

Mika: Philadelphia.

Seki: Is it hot there?

Mika: It is.

Seki: A flaming-hot Oyako Day, then—please share a message for your parents.

Mika: You’ve kept this beautiful Oyako Day going for years—even through COVID. I’m so happy you can do photo sessions again. Keep it up!

Yoshiko Inoue: And Dad’s feeling great again.

Seki: Everyone supported the family during Bruce’s health chapter—we could really feel the bonds. Wonderful, isn’t it?

Yoshiko Inoue: Mika’s husband Justin and Mika researched so hard and found a hospital in the U.S. where Bruce could have surgery—thanks to that, he’s this healthy now. Justin, thank you so much!

Justin: Of course! No problem!

Announcing the 19th Oyako Grand Prize!

 

Seki: This year’s Oyako Grand Prize has been decided! The winners are photographer Ittetsu Morishita and his daughter Miho. For nearly half a century they have photographed the lives of hibakusha and advocated for nuclear abolition worldwide. He is also the founder of the NPO “World Hibakusha Exhibition.”

We selected photographer Ittetsu Morishita and his daughter Miho for their meaningful work—especially in times like these. Congratulations! Ms. Morishita, are you with us?

 

Miho Morishita: Yes, I’m here.

Seki: You’ve joined our online talk live before, but today as a Grand Prize recipient—how do you feel?

Miho Morishita: Honestly, last year in Hiroshima I thought of stopping our photo exhibitions. It’s hard to keep expanding this activity. But when we did a show in Saga this year, the response—like in Hiroshima—was overwhelming. Even so, continuing steadily is tough… and then Ms. Inoue told me, “We’d like to award Miho the Oyako Grand Prize,” and I felt encouraged again.

Seki: Like getting a push on your back.

Miho Morishita: It made me glad we kept going. It felt like a huge gift—I burst into tears. Since my father passed away, I hadn’t been able to cry… I was truly happy. Thank you so much.

Yoshiko Inoue: Congratulations. This year marks Showa 100 and 80 years since the end of the war. There’s no one more fitting than you and Ittetsu. We decided to present you the Grand Prize—congratulations!

Miho Morishita: Thank you—I’m grateful. I think I can keep going a while longer.

Seki: What are your plans from here?

Miho Morishita: I want to hold an exhibition within the year. For funding, Mr. Naoto Anzai—right here beside me—is running around helping.

Seki: Mr. Anzai, a word please.

Naoto Anzai: Thank you for this wonderful prize—it revived our motivation. This year marks 80 years since the war and the bombings, and many things are happening. But it’s not the end—this is where we begin. From this summer to the summer of 2030, we aim to expand the Hibakusha Exhibition around the world.

Miho’s father, Ittetsu Morishita, had said we would bring the photos to 100 countries by 2020. We aren’t there yet, but we’ll reset and push out globally.

People in Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles have already invited us. We want to spread across the U.S., so we hope everyone will support us.

Yoshiko Inoue: The world feels unstable in many ways, so we want to grow movements like this. Oyako Day, of course, and the message of treasuring life—we want to keep sharing that.

 

Miho Morishita: We have only two photos of my father and me together taken by Bruce, so they’re true family treasures. They’re displayed in our old Japanese house. It was the first and last time—so I’m deeply grateful to Bruce for taking them.

We wore “No Nukes” T-shirts made by young people. My father insisted on standing at the venue even though he used a wheelchair—he said, “A wheelchair is unbecoming; I’ll stand.” It was tough to support him, so I’m barefoot in the photo.

Seki: In the photo he looks robust.

Miho Morishita: Thanks to Bruce.

Seki: We look forward to your continued work—please keep it up.

For the Finale: Everyone Shouts “Oyako Forever!”

 

Seki: Yoshiko, Bruce—we’re nearly out of time. For a wrap-up, could you share your hopes and outlook for Oyako Day?

Bruce Osborn: Yesterday in Hayama we had people come for the event, and on Oyako Day many gather to take photos—it’s so much fun.

Yoshiko Inoue: I was thrilled people remembered us at the Hayama event. Drawing energy from everyone—once we clear this year, there’s next year. I suddenly thought, let’s do Oyako Day in New York next year. Whether it happens or not, we’ve got a year to plan—let’s try.

Seki: I’ll come along—oh wait, I have to be here.

Yoshiko Inoue: No—let’s plan it.

Bruce Osborn: Yes.

Seki: Thank you all for joining us today. Shall we end with something we all say together?

Yoshiko Inoue: How about “Oyako Forever”?

Seki: Great—on three. “Ready—go!”

All: Oyako Forever!

Seki: Thank you—have a wonderful day!