A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima hold high expectations for visit of U.N. Secretary General on August 6
Apr. 13, 2010
by Junichiro Hayashi, Staff Writer
On April 10, when they learned about the planned visit of U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to Hiroshima, A-bomb survivors in town expressed high expectations for the visit, believing it will provide an opportunity to disseminate their wish for the abolition of nuclear weapons to the world.
Kenji Kitagawa, 75, a professor emeritus at Hiroshima University and a Hiroshima resident, welcomed the news of Mr. Ban's visit. Mr. Kitagawa, who experienced the atomic bombing at the age of 10, said, "I would like Mr. Ban to see the damage wrought by the atomic bombing as well as listen to the voices of survivors." He added, "Small streams join to make a mighty river. I hope that Mr. Ban will solidify his determination to lead the world even just one step further toward the elimination of nuclear weapons."
Since taking office in January 2007, Mr. Ban has been conveying a message expressing his wish for a world without nuclear weapons on each occasion of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony. In October 2008, he also announced a five-point proposal, including the start of negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention, to the international community.
Junko Kayashige, 71, another A-bomb survivor who lives in Hiroshima, shared her hope for the realization of Mr. Ban's visit, and said, "The atomic bombings are not history. Many people are still suffering to this day, and I don't want anyone else in the world to go through what we went through. I'd like Mr. Ban to make use of the things he learns through his visit to the A-bombed city in various international forums."
Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba, who had reportedly asked Mr. Ban to attend the Peace Memorial Ceremony when they met in Mexico last September, commented, "I would like to wholeheartedly welcome him to the city. The news of Mr. Ban's planned visit will help create global momentum for the abolition of nuclear weapons in the run-up to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference."
(Originally published on April 11, 2010)
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Nuclear weapons can be eliminated: Interview with Japanese ambassador to the United Nations (Feb. 9, 2010)
On April 10, when they learned about the planned visit of U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to Hiroshima, A-bomb survivors in town expressed high expectations for the visit, believing it will provide an opportunity to disseminate their wish for the abolition of nuclear weapons to the world.
Kenji Kitagawa, 75, a professor emeritus at Hiroshima University and a Hiroshima resident, welcomed the news of Mr. Ban's visit. Mr. Kitagawa, who experienced the atomic bombing at the age of 10, said, "I would like Mr. Ban to see the damage wrought by the atomic bombing as well as listen to the voices of survivors." He added, "Small streams join to make a mighty river. I hope that Mr. Ban will solidify his determination to lead the world even just one step further toward the elimination of nuclear weapons."
Since taking office in January 2007, Mr. Ban has been conveying a message expressing his wish for a world without nuclear weapons on each occasion of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony. In October 2008, he also announced a five-point proposal, including the start of negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention, to the international community.
Junko Kayashige, 71, another A-bomb survivor who lives in Hiroshima, shared her hope for the realization of Mr. Ban's visit, and said, "The atomic bombings are not history. Many people are still suffering to this day, and I don't want anyone else in the world to go through what we went through. I'd like Mr. Ban to make use of the things he learns through his visit to the A-bombed city in various international forums."
Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba, who had reportedly asked Mr. Ban to attend the Peace Memorial Ceremony when they met in Mexico last September, commented, "I would like to wholeheartedly welcome him to the city. The news of Mr. Ban's planned visit will help create global momentum for the abolition of nuclear weapons in the run-up to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference."
(Originally published on April 11, 2010)
Related articles
Nuclear weapons can be eliminated: Interview with Japanese ambassador to the United Nations (Feb. 9, 2010)
