The Numbers Are Glamorous, But Who Is Organizing Behind the Scenes?

1.33 million origami cranes fill the walls, an arena is projected to attract 1.6 million visitors annually, and the term “second capital” is making its way into political discussions—recently, Hiroshima has been buzzing with these “big numbers.”

Numbers themselves carry no inherent good or evil. The real question is, what systems are designed to ease the lives of whom? We need to examine the operational structures behind the glamorous announcements, the sources of funding, and the connections to the local community, one by one.

—

The Orizuru Tower – What Remains After 1.33 Million Cranes Have ‘Filled’ the Space?

On October 2, 2025, the “Wall of Cranes” at the Orizuru Tower (operated by Hiroshima Mazda, located in Hiroshima’s Naka Ward) was emptied. Since its opening in 2016, visitors have folded and tossed in cranes one by one, reaching a total of 1.33 million, which filled the wall. On the same day, a “First Toss Ceremony” was held to throw in the first new crane, marking a fresh start for the wall.

The number 1.33 million is the result of nearly nine years of individual visitors’ hand movements, and in that sense, it can indeed be seen as a “visualization of prayers for peace.” However, when viewed from a distance, another question arises.

The admission fee for the observation deck at the Orizuru Tower is 1,700 yen for adults (as of 2024). Despite its prime location right in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome, the price difference compared to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (200 yen for adults) is significant. While the experience of folding cranes is included in the admission fee, there is a structure that overlays the revenue model of a tourist facility onto the act of “praying for peace.” The operation is managed by a private company, which is commendable for maintaining the facility without relying on public subsidies. On the other hand, how the process of storing, reusing, or disposing of the 1.33 million cranes is designed is not frequently discussed.

Where do the filled cranes go? Will they be turned into recycled paper, repurposed into art, or something else? The design of the “outlet for prayers” is where the philosophy of this system is revealed. We want to witness not just the moment the numbers are filled, but also the arrangements that follow.

—

New Arena Project – Who Will Explain the Breakdown of ‘1.6 Million Visitors’?

The new arena planned for the north exit area of Hiroshima Station is expected to accommodate around 10,000 people and aims to attract 1.6 million visitors annually. In addition to serving as the home arena for the Hiroshima Dragonflies of the B-League, it is also envisioned for multipurpose use such as concerts and exhibitions.

Let’s break down the number 1.6 million. At 1.6 million visitors annually, that translates to about 4,384 people per day. This means hosting events for over 160 days a year in a 10,000-seat arena, averaging more than half the seats filled continuously. Similar facilities in Japan—such as the Okinawa Arena (approximately 10,000 capacity, opened in 2021)—attracted about 600,000 visitors in its first year. There is a demand for clarity on whether the target of 1.6 million is a “hope” or a “plan.”

Another point of concern is the funding scheme for construction. Reports indicate that the consideration of “conditional donations” has emerged. Conditional donations refer to a system where donors attach certain conditions (such as partial coverage of maintenance costs or designated uses) when donating land or buildings to local governments. While this offers municipalities the advantage of acquiring facilities without initial investment, it also carries the risk of long-term financial burdens depending on the conditions.

Here, the question arises: who is aware of the “conditions” of the donations? The sale of naming rights, priority allocation of VIP seats, and development rights in the surrounding area—whether these conditions are discussed in open forums with the council and citizens will determine whether this arena becomes “the community’s” or “the property of specific stakeholders.”

I do not deny the creation of a system to attract 1.6 million visitors. However, if the blueprint of that system is not visible to the citizens, the numbers will merely remain as a facade.

—

Second Capital Concept – A More Fundamental Question Before the Requirements

The “second capital concept” proposed by Hiroshima Prefecture is discussed in the context of mitigating the risks of Tokyo’s concentration. The idea of relocating some capital functions to the regions to serve as backup hubs during disasters has a certain rationality within the discussions of national resilience.

However, the current barrier is the population requirement. The criteria for designating a second capital being considered by the government reportedly includes a standard of “urban areas with more than 1.2% of the national population.” As of 2024, the population of the Hiroshima metropolitan area is about 1.4 million. 1.2% of the national population (approximately 124 million) is about 1.49 million, meaning Hiroshima is roughly 90,000 short by simple calculation. Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki has expressed his intention to voice opinions to the national government regarding this requirement, but it remains unclear whether he seeks to relax the criteria or expand the definition of metropolitan areas.

—However, I want to pause and reflect. Is the goal to obtain the “title” of a second capital, or is it to effectively prepare the infrastructure and human resources to accept part of the capital functions? These two objectives may seem similar, but they are entirely different.

If the former is the case, lobbying for the population requirement will become the main battlefield. If the latter is true, then practical and effective measures such as attracting satellite offices of government agencies, ensuring redundancy in communications and transportation during disasters, and developing multilingual administrative services should come first.

The term “second capital” carries a significant weight. Therefore, it is crucial to articulate how that term will change the daily lives of people living in the region in specific scenarios.

—

The Common Structure Among the Three Numbers – The Design Lacking Clarity on ‘Who Benefits’

1.33 million cranes, 1.6 million visitors, and the second capital. While these three topics differ in field and scale, they share a common structure.

In each case, the “big numbers” are presented first, while the details of the supporting systems are postponed.

At the Orizuru Tower, the process leading up to the filling of 1.33 million cranes is beautifully narrated, but information about the fate of the cranes after they are filled and the sustainability of the operation is limited. In the case of the new arena, the target of 1.6 million is set, but the underlying demand forecasts and the transparency of the conditions for conditional donations have not been sufficiently discussed. Regarding the second capital concept, emotional appeals of “suitability for Hiroshima” often take precedence over concrete pathways to meet the requirements.

What is most important in the design of systems is, who will have their hands freed as that system operates? Will an increase in tourists benefit local shops, will the arena provide more opportunities for children to engage in sports, or will the arrival of second capital functions enable local youth to secure professional jobs without moving to Tokyo? Only when we can see the “faces of those who will benefit” will the numbers begin to carry warmth.

—

Designing the ‘Outlets’ for the Numbers

Big numbers attract people. Both the media and the government find it easier to create headlines when there are numbers involved. However, numbers are merely the entrance.

What will happen to the 1.33 million origami cranes next? How will the finances and local contributions of the arena attracting 1.6 million visitors be structured? Under the banner of a second capital, what actual functions will take root in Hiroshima?

When the design of the outlets becomes visible, the numbers will finally transform into a “system.” And that system will quietly begin to support someone’s life.

What Hiroshima is truly being challenged on is not the size of the numbers, but whether it has the words to articulate whose day will become a little easier beyond those numbers.