Paper Lanterns

This year marks the 80th year since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, a moment in history that continues to echo through generations. In solemn remembrance of this anniversary, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles will present a screening of director Barry Frechette’s documentary, Paper Lanterns, nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the Woods Hole Film Festival in 2016. The film was screened multiple times at the United Nations, including four showings at the UN Headquarters in New York. It was also featured at the UN Office in Geneva and the WTO, where producer Nobuko Saito Cleary was invited to make a speech on peace in May 2025.

Paper Lanterns tells the extraordinary story of Shigeaki Mori, a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing whose life was transformed by a deeply personal mission: to uncover and share the stories of tens of thousands of Japanese victims, and to identify and honor twelve American prisoners of war who also perished that day. Among them were Normand Brissette of Massachusetts and Ralph Neal of Kentucky. Through decades of tireless effort, Mr. Mori brought long-overdue recognition to these men and helped their grieving families find a sense of connection, closure, and peace.

The documentary travels from the small towns of America to the heart of Hiroshima, tracing the emotional journey of two families brought face-to-face with history. In guiding them through the places their loved ones spent their final days, Mr. Mori builds bridges of compassion and understanding between former enemies — and between past and present.

The screening will be followed by a discussion with Mr. Frechette and Ms. Saito Cleary, offering deeper insight into the making of the film and its ongoing impact.

The event space will feature a small exhibition of images provided by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, along with a light networking reception to offer attendees and speakers a thoughtful space to reflect on the events of August 6, 1945.

“Paper Lanterns is always my constant reminder that no matter
how “unprecedented” the times are, you can make a difference.”
- Barry Frechette
John C Thayer III Award recipient for outstanding contributions to the
cultural exchange between Japan and the United States.

Barry Frechette is an advertising professional with over 30 years of experience in Boston’s production community. He currently serves as the Director of Creative Services at Connelly Partners. Throughout his career, Barry has been involved in numerous award-winning projects that have received accolades such as the Effie Awards, the Cannes Lions Awards, and the National Emmy. While much of his work focuses on creating television ads and branded content, he was deeply moved by the story of Mr. Mori and the 12 American POWs in Hiroshima, which compelled him to bring their story to the screen. Paper Lanterns is his first documentary film.

A 1992 graduate of Stonehill College, Barry lives in Billerica, Massachusetts, with his family.

Nobuko Saito Cleary is a cross-cultural consultant, film producer, and longtime advocate for U.S.-Japan relations, whose work spans diplomacy, education, and the arts. In recent years, she has brought the internationally acclaimed documentary Paper Lanterns—which she produced—to audiences around the world, including the UN Headquarters in New York, the UN Office in Geneva, Rice University, and the WTO's “Trade for Peace” dialogue, etc. Her dedication to peace-building and cultural remembrance has earned her recognition from organizations such as the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research and the Government of Japan, which awarded her the Order of the Rising Sun with Silver Rays.

Beyond film, Ms. Saito Cleary has chaired and led major fundraising galas for the Japan Society of Northern California, successfully bringing together thought leaders, cultural icons, and business innovators (including 4 prime ministers of Japan). She also serves in leadership roles for institutions such as the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, Glaucoma Research Foundation, Northeastern University with the Nobuko Saito Cleary Trail Blazer Scholarships, and the Community School of Music and Arts with concerts introducing Japanese culture. Through storytelling, advocacy, and decades of bridge-building, she continues to amplify underrepresented voices and foster mutual understanding between Japan and the U.S.