Max Lau 
Yuka Miyahara
When I was 13, I made a bucket list. It included traveling around the world, seeing the aurora borealis, and building my own house from scratch, among other dreams. After calculating how long it would take to accomplish everything, I realized it would take 105 years, meaning I’d need to live until I was at least 120 years old. This realization sparked my interest in how to live a long and healthy life, focusing on things such as sleep, exercise, nutrition, and living in a safe environment. I worked hard to remove anything that might prevent me from achieving my dreams.
However, in February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, followed by a prolonged and escalating war, I saw the reality of war unfold on television. Innocent lives were being lost on a daily basis, which included those of people from infants to the elderly. The shock of watching this tragedy made me realize that all my plans could be wiped out by something beyond my control—particularly the threat of nuclear weapons. From that point on, I became determined to study nuclear disarmament. I dove into topics like deterrence theory, international treaties, and the physics of nuclear weapons. However, I soon realized that my understanding was limited to a Japanese perspective. Therefore, I wanted to learn more about how people from other countries, particularly the United States and Russia, viewed these issues.
That’s when I discovered the Critical Issues Forum (CIF). I was fortunate enough to participate in both the online and in-person exchanges hosted by CIF, including a visit to Monterey. During the online sessions, I attended lectures and engaged in discussions with students from Japan, Russia, and the U.S. I was surprised to meet people in nuclear-armed countries who also opposed nuclear weapons. It was a powerful reminder that I wasn’t alone in opposing nuclear weapons. Meeting these students gave me hope that we can shift the global trend away from maintaining and increasing nuclear arsenals to reducing and eventually abolishing them.
The in-person exchange in Monterey was even more impactful. I connected deeply with U.S. students while participating in group activities such as presentations, discussions, and even making paper cranes together. I found myself developing a genuine appreciation for American culture and the seriousness with which my peers approached the issue of disarmament. It made me realize that while political relations between nations can be strained, individuals can still build bonds of friendship and understanding. I left with a sense of hope, knowing that if tensions between Japan and the U.S. were to rise at the governmental level, I would find it hard to blame Americans because I now had friends there. This experience showed me the power that ordinary people have in advancing peace.
Participating in CIF solidified my conviction to devote my life to the abolition of nuclear weapons. Through CIF, I gained a clearer understanding of both the challenges and the significant efforts being made by organizations and young people to address this issue. I realized that dismantling nuclear arsenals is even more difficult than I had imagined. In this process, many countries, treaties, and scientific knowledge are involved. This endeavor requires us to overcome negative human nature that tends to build one’s own fortune at the cost of other’s happiness. The more I become aware of such a human nature, the more determined I have become.
Because of CIF, I chose to study at SOKA University of America that offers a strong liberal arts program and peace studies curriculum, allowing me to continue acquiring the skills needed to contribute to nuclear disarmament. I am currently studying economics, peace studies, and the basic principles of nuclear weapons from both a physics and policy perspective. In addition to my academic pursuits, I have started an organization, with a view to contributing to nuclear disarmament through education and tourism. Although the business model is still in its development phase, I see a great potential in using these sectors to raise awareness and promote the process of abolishing nuclear weapons.
Looking ahead, I want to establish a “peace industry.” Today, many peace initiatives rely heavily on donations. While I deeply appreciate the generosity of individuals and organizations supporting these causes, I believe that relying on donations alone has its limits. If we want to accelerate and sustain progress in nuclear disarmament, we must harness economic power. This might seem like an unfeasible idea, but I believe it’s possible—just as renewable energy, like solar and wind power, became viable alternatives to fossil fuels. At first, these technologies weren’t considered profitable, but advancements changed that perception. In the next 10 years, I will continue studying economics and work toward building a sustainable peace economy, a system that funds efforts to resolve conflicts and achieve nuclear disarmament.
Watch Yuka’s interview at the 2023 CIF Students Conference
That’s when I discovered the Critical Issues Forum (CIF). I was fortunate enough to participate in both the online and in-person exchanges hosted by CIF, including a visit to Monterey. During the online sessions, I attended lectures and engaged in discussions with students from Japan, Russia, and the U.S. I was surprised to meet people in nuclear-armed countries who also opposed nuclear weapons. It was a powerful reminder that I wasn’t alone in opposing nuclear weapons. Meeting these students gave me hope that we can shift the global trend away from maintaining and increasing nuclear arsenals to reducing and eventually abolishing them.
See the Monterey County Weekly article on the CIF conference Yuka was quoted.