International Projects
Heiwa Matsuri’s activities are not limited to Japan. We are also promoting peace initiatives and support projects overseas, delivering a message of peace across borders through fireworks.
🇮🇩 Indonesia
Indonesia Peace Fireworks 2025
In 2025, as part of our International Fireworks Project, we held “Indonesia Peace Fireworks 2025.” This project transforms gunpowder — a symbol of war — into fireworks, a symbol of peace, delivering a message of peace to the world. Through fireworks, a traditional Japanese culture, we aim to create bonds of the heart that transcend borders, religions, and cultural differences.
🏛️ An Official Ceremony with a Royal Prince
For this event, we held a school visit and ceremony together with an Indonesian royal prince. The exchange with local children and the official ceremony became a symbolic occasion of friendship and peace at a national level. By visiting an educational setting and delivering our message directly to the next generation, we shared the core value of our project: “fireworks equal peace.”
🎆 A Peace Event Attended by 100,000 People
Approximately 100,000 people attended on the day, and the venue was filled with excitement and emotion. The fireworks lighting up the night sky were not mere entertainment — they were launched as a symbol of prayer and hope for peace. Looking up at the same sky and sharing the same moment created a sense of unity that transcended borders.
🌏 Spreading the Value of “Fireworks = Peace” Around the World
Our International Fireworks Project has expanded from Cambodia and Sri Lanka to Indonesia. Fireworks may be light that vanishes in an instant. But the emotion and resonance created in that moment stay with people for a long time. We will continue to deliver a message of peace to the world through Japan’s fireworks culture.
There are no borders in the sky. The light of fireworks reaches every child equally, no matter where they are.
🇰🇭 Cambodia
“Water of Life” Project in Cambodia (November 2025)
From November 22 to 25, 2025, we carried out the “Water of Life” project on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This was not simply an aid activity — it was designed around the theme of “the first step toward a change in awareness,” aiming to nurture “a spirit of contribution” through exchange with local people.
💧 Sustainable Support Through Well-Digging
In a village without a water source, we dug a well together with local residents. Working covered in mud under the blazing sun was never easy, but the moment safe water became available, even the local organizers were moved to tears — an experience of joy beyond words.
Next to the completed well, we installed a sign created by all the participants, with everyone’s name engraved as proof of their support. This well is now an important piece of infrastructure that protects the lives and health of the village’s children and residents.
🏠 Exchange with the Kukuma Orphanage
We visited the Kukuma Orphanage and shared warm moments with the children through traditional dance performances, parties, and sports events. The bonds formed through smiles and connection, beyond language and cultural differences, brought great insight and emotion to all participants.
🏫 Visiting Local Schools and Cultural Experiences
From buying relief supplies at the local market to school visits and a homestay experience in the village, we experienced the real Cambodia in a way tourism never could. Those who wished also visited the Tuol Sleng Museum (Genocide Museum), taking time to confront Cambodia’s history.
💡 Not “Money,” but “Awareness” Changes Society
What we aim for is a society where “social contribution” is no longer something special — a future where helping one another is simply the norm. This project was not an activity of “giving” support; it was time spent sweating, laughing, and thinking about the future together with local people.
“I found gratitude for water and living conditions I once took for granted.” “Social contribution became something close to me.” “It became an opportunity to think about what I myself can do.”
— Participant voices
We will continue our sustainable, locally-rooted support activities, expanding connections between people and building “a society that changes through awareness.” We offer our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in and supported this project.
Cambodia Peace Fireworks Project (2023)
In 2023, we carried out the “Cambodia Peace Fireworks Project,” our very first overseas project. This initiative — launching peace fireworks together with Cambodian children — was held in partnership with a local NPO at a school on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.
On the day of the fireworks, about 200 people took part, including local children, guardians, and residents. Together, we enjoyed fireworks brought from Japan, sharing a time of smiles and emotion that went beyond words.
The children who took part had their eyes light up at seeing Japanese fireworks for the first time, and we received many comments such as “please come again” and “next time, we want to go to Japan too.”
Through this activity, we truly felt that fireworks — a part of Japanese culture — can become a bridge of peace across borders. We offer our sincere thanks to everyone who supported us and to everyone on the ground who helped make this happen.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Peace Fireworks Project (2024)
Following our success in Cambodia, we carried out a peace fireworks project in Sri Lanka. Transforming gunpowder — a symbol of war — into fireworks, a symbol of peace, we painted hope for the future in the night sky together with Sri Lankan children.
“Transforming Symbols of War into Symbols of Peace”
Upon our arrival in Sri Lanka, we were given a state-guest-level welcome at the airport, including an exceptional parade. Although this event was held under conditions not normally permitted by law, special permission was granted with the attendance of the top military official, and the visit of the Minister of Education allowed a one-time special measure permitting a nighttime event. Through national-level decisions on both fronts, a one-day-only legal accommodation was arranged, making the event possible.
This project was broadcast as news on Sri Lanka’s national television and covered widely by newspapers across the country. In addition to the fireworks event, we donated a water storage tank and a new classroom building to a local school. Delivering not just “a moment of emotion,” but “support that remains for the future,” is one of the major goals of this project.
