The existing peace education program in Hiroshima was considered as non-responsive to the country's aging population and demands of globalization. A-bomb victims are gradually decreasing due to natural death and the globalizing world challenges the nature and context of peace. In consideration of these challenges, the Hiroshima city board of education developed a new school program on peace education which will be introduced to all public schools
in 2013. Prior to its full fledged implementation, it was pilot tested in ten selected city public schools.
This study analyzes the effects of the new program on the students' understanding of peace using survey questionnaires. The students were asked to answer the survey questionnaires prior to and after the implementation of the new program. Results show that the program can (1) encourage students to acquire historical knowledge about the issues pertinent to the A-bomb catastrophe in Hiroshima and (2) enable students to consider prospective actions and decisions for building a peaceful society. Nevertheless, the program lacks motivating strategies to inspire the children in initiating actions for peace.