01-05-2025
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."
