Latest news with #TerumiTanaka
Asahi Shimbun
2 days ago
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Norwegian Nobel Committee chair speaks out against nukes
Jorgen Watne Frydnes, right, chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, and Terumi Tanaka of Nihon Hidankyo (the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations) at a news conference on the Sophia University campus in Tokyo on July 27 (Tatsuya Sato) The chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to a hibakusha organization last year, urged young people to keep the use of nuclear weapons as a taboo. 'The nuclear taboo is under threat,' said Jorgen Watne Frydnes, who appeared alongside members of Nihon Hidankyo (the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations), at a news conference in Tokyo on July 27. While August will mark 80 years since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has raised the threat of nuclear weapons being used again. Tensions also continue between Iran and Israel, which is effectively recognized as a nuclear-armed state. To understand the horrors of nuclear weapons, Frydnes said that it is important for younger generations to inherit the testimonies of hibakusha and uphold the taboo against nuclear weapons, ensuring that they are never used again. 'We cannot stop listening, even though the hibakusha's voices will no longer be there in a few years. We need to continue listening,' he said. Frydnes also mentioned that he traveled to Hiroshima and Nagasaki during his visit to Japan, and highlighted efforts to pass on the experiences of hibakusha through music, literature and manga. 'We've had the privilege to meet students, activists, young people in all layers of society in Tokyo, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and we are really impressed; not just by their dedication, but also their creativity,' he said. Terumi Tanaka, 93, represented Nihon Hidankyo at the news conference. 'The world from now will be carried by the younger generation, but it is covered by 12,000 nuclear warheads. I hope that young people will listen to the testimonies of atomic bomb victims and reach a point where they absolutely ensure that nuclear weapons do not exist,' Tanaka said. According to the health ministry, as of the end of March of this year, there were about 99,000 officially recognized hibakusha. Their average age was 86.1.
The Mainichi
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Japan antinuke groups criticize Sanseito politician's call for nuclear armament
TOKYO -- The co-chair of a Nobel Peace Prize-winning atomic bomb survivors' group on July 23 criticized a member of the Sanseito party for declaring Japan should have nuclear weapons. Three organizations, including the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), which won the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, issued a joint statement marking the upcoming 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings and held a press conference in Tokyo on July 23. A reporter questioned the groups about comments by Saya, who was elected in the Tokyo constituency in the July 20 House of Councillors election. The Sanseito member advocated for Japan to acquire atomic armaments, stating, "Nuclear armament is the cheapest option." Nihon Hidankyo co-chair Terumi Tanaka, 93, criticized her statement, saying, "It's shameful for Japanese politicians to discuss nuclear weapons on the premise of using them." Masakazu Yasui, 70, secretary-general of the Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo), also called Saya's comment "a dangerous trend," adding, "Could she say the same thing in front of atomic bomb survivors? What happens if even one atomic bomb is used? That is what survivors have risked their lives to warn people about." Masashi Tani, 45, secretary-general of the Japan Congress against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikin), commented, "These were things that should not be said lightly. I feel a sense of crisis that the barriers to nuclear weapons are being lowered, including in the international community." Tanaka, who was exposed to atomic bomb radiation at age 13 at his home about 3.2 kilometers from the hypocenter in Nagasaki and lost five relatives, stated, "Hibakusha (A-bomb survivors) have always said nuclear weapons must never be used. All politicians should eliminate any thinking that presupposes using nuclear power as a weapon." The Sanseito policy states, "To protect Japan, which is surrounded by nuclear-armed countries, and in light of the harsh realities of the international community, we set nuclear abolition as a long-term goal, but for now, to protect Japan, we must possess deterrence that prevents nuclear-armed countries from using nuclear weapons." (Japanese original by Tohru Shirakawa, Tokyo Bureau)
Japan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
Japanese groups make united call for abolition of nuclear weapons
Three Japanese organizations working for the abolition of nuclear weapons issued a joint appeal in Tokyo on Wednesday, calling for spreading awareness of the reality of atomic bombings across the country. It was the first time ever for the groups to come together for such a unified statement, which was unveiled ahead of next month's 80th anniversary of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the closing days of World War II. The Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo) and the Japan Congress against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikin) partnered with the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) to issue the appeal. The antinuclear movement gained momentum in 1954 after the 23-member crew of the Fukuryu Maru No. 5, a Japanese fishing boat, was exposed to radioactive fallout from a U.S. hydrogen bomb test. Gensuikyo and Nihon Hidankyo were founded in the wake of intensifying public sentiment. Gensuikin was established in 1965 after splitting from Gensuikyo. "I'm deeply moved by the cooperation of large organizations on the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings," Terumi Tanaka, 93, co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo, said at a news conference. He expressed hopes that the collaboration will encourage hibakusha — atomic bomb survivors — who are yet to share their experiences to testify. "The task of spreading the reality of atomic bombings is a challenge for all humanity," Yayoi Tsuchida, 68, a senior Gensuikyo official, said. Masashi Tani, 45, secretary-general of Gensuikin, said, "We urge the government to take action, such as by ratifying the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons," noting that "the international community is watching how Japan marks the 80th anniversary." "As the danger of nuclear weapons use grows, Japan's role is becoming increasingly important," the joint appeal said. "It is important to appeal against the inhumanity of nuclear weapons in Japan and globally by transcending differences in position."
Japan Today
7 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
Split Japan antinuke groups, Hidankyo unite for 80th A-bomb anniversary
Terumi Tanaka (3rd from L), co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo, Masashi Tani (2nd from L), secretary general of the Japan Congress Against A-and H-Bombs, and Masakazu Yasui (far R), secretary general of the Japan Council Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs, pose for a photo at a joint press conference in Tokyo on July 23, 2025. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo Two Japanese antinuclear groups that split during the Cold War issued a rare joint statement Wednesday to mark the upcoming 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, appealing for the people of Japan to carry the cities' message to the world. The statement by the Japan Congress Against A- and H-Bombs, known as Gensuikin, and the Japan Council Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs, known as Gensuikyo, was also cosigned by Nihon Hidankyo, Japan's leading group of atomic bomb survivors and the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. "I truly hope that this (collaboration) will become a turning point where Japan's movement can grow into a much larger one and expand to the world," Terumi Tanaka, co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo, said at a joint press conference held by the three groups in Tokyo. With the risk of nuclear weapons use rising globally, the three groups stressed that survivor testimonies remain one of the most powerful deterrents against the use of such weapons in war. Building on Hidankyo's Nobel Peace Prize recognition, the statement also urged the Japanese government to "break free" from the U.S. nuclear umbrella, and swiftly sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. "Despite atomic bomb survivors capturing the world's attention, the risk of nuclear weapon use continues to rise, making the role of Japan's antinuclear movement more critical than ever," the statement said, while criticizing the Japanese government's refusal to join the treaty as "eroding international trust." Japan's antinuclear movement began in 1954 following the Bikini Atoll incident, when a Japanese fishing boat was exposed to radiation from a U.S. nuclear weapon test. The first World Conference against A & H Bombs was held in Hiroshima in 1955. The movement later split in the 1960s over political differences, with Gensuikyo aligning with the Japanese Communist Party, which tolerated Soviet nuclear testing, and Gensuikin with the former Socialist Party and and trade unions, which opposed all nuclear testing regardless of country. While the world conference was held jointly from 1977 to 1985, Gensuikyo and Gensuikin have in recent years hosted separate events each summer in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. © KYODO
Kyodo News
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Kyodo News
Split Japan antinuke groups, Hidankyo unite for 80th A-bomb anniv.
TOKYO - Two Japanese antinuclear groups that split during the Cold War issued a rare joint statement Wednesday to mark the upcoming 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, appealing for the people of Japan to carry the cities' message to the world. The statement by the Japan Congress Against A- and H-Bombs, known as Gensuikin, and the Japan Council Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs, known as Gensuikyo, was also cosigned by Nihon Hidankyo, Japan's leading group of atomic bomb survivors and the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. "I truly hope that this (collaboration) will become a turning point where Japan's movement can grow into a much larger one and expand to the world," Terumi Tanaka, co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo, said at a joint press conference held by the three groups in Tokyo. With the risk of nuclear weapons use rising globally, the three groups stressed that survivor testimonies remain one of the most powerful deterrents against the use of such weapons in war. Building on Hidankyo's Nobel Peace Prize recognition, the statement also urged the Japanese government to "break free" from the U.S. nuclear umbrella, and swiftly sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. "Despite atomic bomb survivors capturing the world's attention, the risk of nuclear weapon use continues to rise, making the role of Japan's antinuclear movement more critical than ever," the statement said, while criticizing the Japanese government's refusal to join the treaty as "eroding international trust." Japan's antinuclear movement began in 1954 following the Bikini Atoll incident, when a Japanese fishing boat was exposed to radiation from a U.S. nuclear weapon test. The first World Conference against A & H Bombs was held in Hiroshima in 1955. The movement later split in the 1960s over political differences, with Gensuikyo aligning with the Japanese Communist Party, which tolerated Soviet nuclear testing, and Gensuikin with the former Socialist Party and and trade unions, which opposed all nuclear testing regardless of country. While the world conference was held jointly from 1977 to 1985, Gensuikyo and Gensuikin have in recent years hosted separate events each summer in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
