Consul-General Attends the Opening Ceremony of the “Scars of War” International Photography and Art Exhibition
2026/9/10
On September 10th, Mr. Shinya Machida, Consul-General of Japan in Penang, attended the opening ceremony of the “Scars of War” International Photography and Art Exhibition held at the Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery in Penang. The exhibition is jointly organized by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines – Cluster Munition Coalition (ICBL-CMC), the Global Chinese Arts & Culture Society and other organizations. A wide range of documentary photographs depicting the impact of anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions on people and communities are on display. The exhibition was held shortly before the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which will begin in Vientiane, Laos, on September 14th.
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Lin Xiang Xiong, Ms. Tamar Gabelnick, Director of ICBL-CMC, and YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital, delivered remarks. Ms. Gabelnick explained that anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions continue to cause civilian casualties long after hostilities have ended and emphasized the importance of international efforts including clearance and victim assistance. Minister Gobind Singh Deo stated that the photographs on display are records of people whose lives have been changed by war and that war affects people’s lives. He also highlighted the important role of photography in recording reality and encouraging reflection in an era in which fabricated images and videos can easily be created, as well as the value of using digital technology to communicate the message of the exhibition to a wider audience.
The Government of Japan, as a State Party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, attaches importance to international efforts including the universalization of the Convention, the clearance of unexploded ordnance and assistance to victims. Japan has also actively contributed to unexploded ordnance clearance and victim assistance in affected countries and continues to promote wider adherence to the Convention. The Consulate-General will continue to closely follow relevant international initiatives taking place in this region and, where appropriate, seek to engage with them.
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Lin Xiang Xiong, Ms. Tamar Gabelnick, Director of ICBL-CMC, and YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital, delivered remarks. Ms. Gabelnick explained that anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions continue to cause civilian casualties long after hostilities have ended and emphasized the importance of international efforts including clearance and victim assistance. Minister Gobind Singh Deo stated that the photographs on display are records of people whose lives have been changed by war and that war affects people’s lives. He also highlighted the important role of photography in recording reality and encouraging reflection in an era in which fabricated images and videos can easily be created, as well as the value of using digital technology to communicate the message of the exhibition to a wider audience.
The Government of Japan, as a State Party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, attaches importance to international efforts including the universalization of the Convention, the clearance of unexploded ordnance and assistance to victims. Japan has also actively contributed to unexploded ordnance clearance and victim assistance in affected countries and continues to promote wider adherence to the Convention. The Consulate-General will continue to closely follow relevant international initiatives taking place in this region and, where appropriate, seek to engage with them.
