On August 6 and 9, 1945, the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were devastated by the world’s first and only wartime use of nuclear weapons.

The atomic bomb dropped by the United States on Hiroshima — “Little Boy” — claimed the lives of an estimated 140,000 people by the end of 1945, while “Fat Man”, dropped on Nagasaki three days later, resulted in approximately 74,000 deaths.

As 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the nuclear age, teenage writers from Harbingers’ Magazine meet in Japan with experienced journalists for a 10-day conference to learn and report on how commemorations in two cities destroyed and rebuilt inform the future of the Asia-Pacific region.

Programme

For ten days — five in Hiroshima and five in Nagasaki — participants will work with professional journalists from Harbingers’ Academy. Depending on their progress in Harbingers’ Magazine, they will practice:

• Reporting focuses on gathering facts, verifying information, and presenting news in a clear, objective, and engaging manner.
• Time-Sensitive Reporting challenges students to cover unfolding events under time constraints, emphasizing accuracy and clarity.
• Opinion writing teaches students how to express well-argued perspectives, balancing personal insight with journalistic integrity.
• Feature Writing (Explainer) involves breaking down complex topics into accessible, well-structured narratives that inform and educate the reader.
• Feature Writing (Analysis) enables students to explore trends and developments in-depth, connecting facts with broader societal implications.
• Feature Writing (Interview) teaches students how to conduct insightful interviews, extract compelling quotes, and construct engaging narratives around their subjects.

Written journalism forms will be supported with multimedia techniques: Podcasting and Video Reporting.

Articles will be driven by participants’ interests, knowledge, and further educational plans, ensuring their reporting contributes to their academic future. By the end of the conference, the participant will have produced a portfolio of up to three stories reflecting their unique perspective.

All articles and audiovisual materials will be published in Harbingers’ Magazine.

Part 1: Hiroshima

(Daily schedule applies to August 3-6; August 7 includes a transfer to Nagasaki)

Part 2: Nagasaki

(Daily schedule applies to August 3-6; August 7 includes a transfer from Hiroshima)

August 7 (Wednesday)

• 18:00: Arrival in Nagasaki, check-in at the Nagasaki Marriott Hotel, 1-1 Onouemachi, Nagasaki, 850-0058, Japan (ensuite rooms, single occupancy)
• 18:00 – 19:30: Dinner
• 19:30 – 20:30: Introduction session & conference overview

August 8-12 – Nagasaki Newsroom

• 08:00 – 09:30: Breakfast
• 10:00 – 12:00: Journalism Workshop – Session 1
• 12:00 – 13:00: Lunch
• 13:00 – 15:00: Journalism Workshop – Session 2
• 15:30 – 18:00: Sports, sightseeing, and cultural activities
• 19:00 – 20:30: Dinner

August 13 (Wednesday) – Departure

• 08:00 – 12:00: Breakfast & Departures

Conference leaders

FAQ:

Age & Language Requirements:

• The Harbingers’ Magazine Hiroshima & Nagasaki Newsroom conference is limited to eight students in pre-university education.
• The advised age is 15 and above.
• The conference is held in English. While participants are not required to provide official certification, a reasonable guideline for proficiency is IELTS 6.5 or above to ensure students can fully engage in workshops, discussions, and assignments.
• Students must have a phone and bring a laptop or tablet with a full keyboard.

Instructors & Guest Speakers:

• The Harbingers’ Academy instructors and supervisors are professional journalists and media workers, ensuring students receive high-quality mentorship throughout the programme.
• All instructors and supervisors have undergone comprehensive background checks and safeguarding training to provide a safe and supportive learning environment.
• The intended instructor-to-student ratio is 1:2, allowing for personalised guidance, direct feedback, and close engagement with each participant.
• This workshop-themed conference will feature two special lectures from Harbingers’ Academy professionals. These sessions will provide deeper insights into critical media, journalism, and storytelling topics, enriching students’ understanding of the field and expanding their perspectives.

Logistics & Travel:

• Participants will stay in single-occupancy ensuite rooms, ensuring privacy and comfort throughout the conference. The newsroom’s conference rooms are in the same hotels where attendees will be accommodated.
• The conference officially begins on August 2 in Hiroshima. For those arriving in Japan via Tokyo, we can arrange supervised transportation with the Shinkansen bullet train service from Tokyo to Hiroshima.
• At the end of the conference, we can assist with travel arrangements from Nagasaki, whether participants need transportation back to Tokyo via bullet train or flights from Nagasaki Airport.

Conference Fee:

• The conference fee covers: Participation fee (including all workshops and lectures), Full-board accommodation (single-occupancy ensuite rooms), Conference space and facilities, All travel during the conference (including Hiroshima to Nagasaki transportation), Expenses related to journalism assignments (e.g., research materials, access fees), Cultural activities (sports, sightseeing, and excursions)
• The fee does not cover: Travel and medical insurance (participants must arrange their coverage), Transportation to and from Japan (flights or other international travel), Discretionary spending (personal expenses, souvenirs, additional activities outside the program).