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Scientists hold symposium for nuclear abolition at Okayama University

by Yumi Kanazaki, Staff Writer

A symposium was held on March 22 to discuss what scientists of the nation that experienced the atomic bomb attacks can do for the elimination of nuclear weapons. The symposium titled "Can we advance toward nuclear abolition?: What can physicists do for the elimination of nuclear weapons?" was held at Okayama University in Kita Ward, Okayama, as part of the four-day Annual Meeting of the Physical Society of Japan, 2010, which started on March 20.

One of the five panelists, Tatsujiro Suzuki, vice-chairman of the Japan Atomic Energy Commission, stressed, "Trying to simultaneously achieve the peaceful use of nuclear energy and nuclear non-proliferation always poses a dilemma. Scientists and engineers have important roles to play."

Hiromi Hasai, a professor emeritus at Hiroshima University, compiled the Nuclear Weapons Attack Damage Estimate Report at the request of the Hiroshima city government. Dr. Hasai said, "We need to disseminate information on how nuclear weapons could inflict indiscriminate damage so that people can understand it not emotionally but logically."

From a global perspective, Hiromichi Umebayashi, a special advisor to Peace Depot, a non-profit organization, pointed out, "There should be more human resources capable of conducting critical research in special fields of study and discussing issues on equal footing with U.S. researchers who are also engaged in peace activities."

(Originally published on March 23, 2010)

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