Latest news with #Kanamoto
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."
NHK
01-05-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Nihon Hidankyo, Hiroshima, Nagasaki appeal for world without nuclear weapons
A Japanese group representing atomic bomb survivors, and the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, have appealed for a world without nuclear weapons at a UN nuclear disarmament meeting in New York. The speeches were delivered at Wednesday's meeting of the preparatory committee for next year's review conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, or NPT. Kanamoto Hiroshi is an executive board member of Nihon Hidankyo, which won last year's Nobel Peace Prize. He explained how he was exposed to radiation in Hiroshima when he was nine months old, along with his then-15-year-old sister. Kanamoto said the survivors' ardent wish is to achieve the elimination of nuclear weapons in their lifetime. He said they have high expectations for the forthcoming NPT review conference at a time when the decline of the "nuclear taboo," which holds that nuclear weapons must not be used, is a growing concern. Hiroshima Mayor Matsui Kazumi spoke on behalf of Mayors for Peace, a group of municipal leaders seeking the abolishment of nuclear weapons. He called on global representatives to heed civil society's call for peace and refrain from relying on nuclear deterrence. He also urged world leaders to advance reliable nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation measures in good faith. Nagasaki Mayor Suzuki Shiro expressed sympathy over the passing of Pope Francis, who visited Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 2019. Suzuki said the only way for humanity to escape the nuclear risk is through abolition. He wrapped up his speech with the message, "Nagasaki must remain the last wartime 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.]
