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`This is the 125th year of formation of the International Red Cross which was established with the motto ``Mercy even in war`` to care for the sick and wounded in war. This organization set up in Geneva in 1863 owes its founding motivation to ``A Memory of Solperino``, in which the author, a Swiss young man who had served for the wounded on Italian battlefields, wrote movingly about the need of the establishment of a relief organization. It has since then grown to a permanent international organ making great contribution to the spread of humanitariansm and world peace by working not only for relief of the wounded in war but also for the protection of prisoners-of-war and civilians, general promotion of health, realief of suffering caused by calamities, prevention of diseases, and other things necessary for relieving human suffering. The Ministry of Communications issues this postage stamps with an expectation that the International Red Cross Movement will continue its humanitarian activities ever more vigorously for world peace, and, if possible, serve as an accelerant for the peaceful reunification of our divided land.`