The First Cinema Forum "A Pledge to Megumi" Nara

89 people attended the screening. More than half of them were attending an event to raise awareness about the abduction issue for the first time, and many of them shed tears while watching the film.
Following the film screening, a mini-talk titled "What is Needed for Rescue?" was held by Kazuhiro Araki (Representative of the Reserve Blue Ribbon Association and former Reserve Sergeant Major) and Masahiro Yoshimoto (Chief Priest of Gokuraku-ji Temple and Reserve Lieutenant Colonel). How can the abduction victims be rescued? Yoshimoto stated that there are two options: either "recover" the abduction victims or "release" them. If the Self-Defense Forces are to be used, then the victims must be "recovered" by SDF members, or "released" using the military power (force) of the SDF. He emphasized that it is not about asking the United States to recover and release them, much less asking North Korea to release them, but that concrete action by our own country is necessary.

You can watch it on YouTube : https://youtu.be/rIsj-WvVvgc

We received many comments from those who participated in the Cinema Forum. Here are some of them.
"It was a memorable film."
"I felt that this is something that Japanese people must never forget and must pass on."
"This movie should be broadcast on television."
"I would really like many people to see it." "I want to do my best to help in any way I can."
"I felt that this was an opportunity to do something, even if it was just a little."
"I want to think about recapturing or liberating them."

In addition, we had elementary, junior high, and high school students, as well as people in their 20s, who were unaware of the return of the five abduction victims in 2002. They shared comments such as, "I learned a lot," "I knew about the abduction issue, but this is the first time I've learned the details," and "Even if I cry, the abduction victims won't come back, so I want to do my best to do what I can."

There were about 10 participants from the Self-Defense Forces, including members of the Veterans Association and Reserve Self-Defense Force personnel. This film is one that we hope many more people involved with the Self-Defense Forces will watch in the future, in order to realize the theme advocated by the Reserve Blue Ribbon Association, "Utilize the Self-Defense Forces to rescue abduction victims."

After the cinema forum, many participants sought out blue ribbon badges, and many were seen wearing them immediately after purchasing them. Later, we received reports from several people saying that they were spreading the word about the film to their acquaintances and colleagues.

Just like the caption at the end of the film that reads, "Each and every one of us creates the ending of this story," I felt that those who watched the film were taking action to do what they could.