Latest news with #HiroshiKanamoto
The Mainichi
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Mainichi
A-bomb survivor warns of decline of 'nuclear taboo' in U.N. meeting
NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- A Japanese atomic bomb survivor expressed hope for progress at a major U.N. conference on nuclear disarmament next year, warning at a preparatory session on Wednesday of the increased fear of the use of nuclear weapons following Russia's war against Ukraine. "We have high expectations for the role of the NPT review conference in a world where the decline of the 'nuclear taboo' is a growing concern," said Hiroshi Kanamoto, representing 2024 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nihon Hidankyo, Japan's leading atomic bomb survivors' group, referring to the review meeting on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. "Will the NPT, which entered into force half a century ago in 1970, continue discussions indefinitely without any progress?" the 80-year-old who survived the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945 said, noting that the "ardent wish" of aging survivors is to achieve the elimination of nuclear weapons in their lifetime. Kanamoto delivered his speech during a session attended by nongovernmental organizations as part of the third, and final, meeting of the preparatory committee for the 2026 NPT review conference, which will lay the groundwork for whether a final document can be adopted next year. The last two NPT review conferences, held in 2015 and 2022 at the U.N. headquarters, were unable to reach agreement on any substantive outcome documents, amid divisions between nuclear and non-nuclear weapons states. In 2022, last-minute opposition from Russia scuttled hopes for consensus at the conclusion. Noting that atomic bomb survivors rejoiced when a U.N. nuclear ban treaty entered into force in 2021, Kamamoto said "the nuclear taboo" seems to be "wavering." "We are now living in a very dangerous world," he said, citing Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine that began in 2022 and the deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas that started in 2023. The review conference convenes once every five years, in principle, to assess the situation surrounding nuclear disarmament among other issues under the treaty, which now has 191 parties. The NPT recognizes Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States as nuclear weapons states and obliges them to pursue nuclear disarmament. The move to create the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was led by some non-nuclear weapon states and civil society campaigns increasingly frustrated with the stalled progress on disarmament. Japan, the only country in the world to have experienced nuclear attacks, has not signed the nuclear weapons ban treaty. The Asian nation relies on the nuclear deterrence provided by its security ally, the United States, and the government has called for maintaining and strengthening the NPT regime.
Japan Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Hidankyo member calls for nuclear weapons to be eliminated
A representative of hibakusha atomic bomb survivor group Nihon Hidankyo on Wednesday called for the elimination of nuclear weapons at the ongoing preparatory meeting for the 2026 Review Conference of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in New York. "Our urgent wish is to achieve the elimination of nuclear weapons in our lifetime," said Hiroshi Kanamoto, 80, of Nihon Hidankyo, officially called the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations. Kanamoto experienced the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, with his sister when he was 9 months old at a point 2.5 kilometers from the center of the explosion. He has been told that he was buried in rubble and covered in his own blood, and that his father came to rescue him. The bombing "instantly transformed Hiroshima into a city of death," he said. Under the NPT, the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China are obliged to hold negotiations for nuclear disarmament. But the previous two NPT review conferences ended in failure. "Will the NPT, which entered into force half a century ago in 1970, continue discussions indefinitely without any progress?" he questioned. "As the only country to have experienced the atomic bombings in war, we call upon Japan to lead the world toward the abolition of nuclear weapons." Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui and Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki also spoke at the preparatory meeting. "There is a growing trend among nuclear weapon states and even some nonnuclear weapon states to advocate for the possession of nuclear weapons or participation in nuclear sharing as an effective means of national defense," Matsui said. "But that goes against the principle of the NPT." Suzuki said, "Nagasaki must remain the last war-time atomic bombing site."
01-05-2025
- Politics
Hidankyo Member Calls for Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
New York, April 30 (Jiji Press)--A member of hibakusha atomic bomb survivor group Nihon Hidankyo on Wednesday called for the elimination of nuclear weapons at the ongoing preparatory meeting for the 2026 Review Conference of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in New York. "Our urgent wish is to achieve the elimination of nuclear weapons in our lifetime," said Hiroshi Kanamoto, 80, of Nihon Hidankyo, officially called the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations. Kanamoto experienced the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima Aug. 6, 1945, with his sister when he was 9 months old at a point 2.5 kilometers from the center of the explosion. He said that he was buried in rubbles and covered with his own blood and that his own father came to rescue them. The bombing "instantly transformed Hiroshima into a city of death," he said. Under the NPT, the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China are obliged to hold negotiations for nuclear disarmament. But the previous two NPT review conferences ended in failure. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
