Gensuikin conference opens in Hiroshima with stern disapproval of nuclear energy
Aug. 6, 2013
by Jumpei Fujimura, Staff Writer
The Hiroshima gathering of the World Conference Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs, sponsored by the Japan Congress Against A- and H-Bombs (Gensuikin) and other organizations, opened on August 4 at the Hiroshima Green Arena in the city center. The participants will engage in discussion and exchange ideas on the goal of ending the use of nuclear energy in Japan, the main theme of the three-day conference.
According to the organizers, 3,500 people attended the opening plenary session. Koichi Kawano, the chairman of Gensuikin and head of the executive committee for the conference, criticized the efforts of four electric power companies to seek safety reviews of their facilities with the aim of restarting their nuclear reactors. He urged the participants to take strong action to advance the denuclearization of the nation’s energy sources.
Hideaki Watanabe, the secretary general of the Fukushima Prefectural Peace Forum, reported on the current conditions of areas that have been heavily affected by the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 (Daiichi) nuclear power plant. He referred to the slow progress of the decontamination work and the deep health concerns of residents. “Is the Japanese government thinking seriously about the victims?” Mr. Watanabe asked. “We must not let Fukushima be forgotten.”
On August 5, workshops and an exchange event will be held. Themes for the workshops include “peace and nuclear disarmament” and “eliminating nuclear energy,” which relates to the Fukushima accident and people exposed to radiation. The conference will end with a closing meeting on August 6.
Gensuikin, the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC) and the National Council for Peace and Against Nuclear Weapons (KAKKIN) used to co-sponsor the Peace Hiroshima Conference on the first day of the world conference. But the JTUC is the only sponsor of this year’s conference scheduled for August 5. While Gensuikin has taken a more critical stance toward nuclear energy since the accident in Fukushima, KAKKIN, whose membership includes the trade unions of electric power companies and manufacturers, continues to support the peaceful use of nuclear power. Because of these different positions, the two organizations decided not to co-sponsor this year’s conference.
(Originally published on August 5, 2013)
The Hiroshima gathering of the World Conference Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs, sponsored by the Japan Congress Against A- and H-Bombs (Gensuikin) and other organizations, opened on August 4 at the Hiroshima Green Arena in the city center. The participants will engage in discussion and exchange ideas on the goal of ending the use of nuclear energy in Japan, the main theme of the three-day conference.
According to the organizers, 3,500 people attended the opening plenary session. Koichi Kawano, the chairman of Gensuikin and head of the executive committee for the conference, criticized the efforts of four electric power companies to seek safety reviews of their facilities with the aim of restarting their nuclear reactors. He urged the participants to take strong action to advance the denuclearization of the nation’s energy sources.
Hideaki Watanabe, the secretary general of the Fukushima Prefectural Peace Forum, reported on the current conditions of areas that have been heavily affected by the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 (Daiichi) nuclear power plant. He referred to the slow progress of the decontamination work and the deep health concerns of residents. “Is the Japanese government thinking seriously about the victims?” Mr. Watanabe asked. “We must not let Fukushima be forgotten.”
On August 5, workshops and an exchange event will be held. Themes for the workshops include “peace and nuclear disarmament” and “eliminating nuclear energy,” which relates to the Fukushima accident and people exposed to radiation. The conference will end with a closing meeting on August 6.
Gensuikin, the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC) and the National Council for Peace and Against Nuclear Weapons (KAKKIN) used to co-sponsor the Peace Hiroshima Conference on the first day of the world conference. But the JTUC is the only sponsor of this year’s conference scheduled for August 5. While Gensuikin has taken a more critical stance toward nuclear energy since the accident in Fukushima, KAKKIN, whose membership includes the trade unions of electric power companies and manufacturers, continues to support the peaceful use of nuclear power. Because of these different positions, the two organizations decided not to co-sponsor this year’s conference.
(Originally published on August 5, 2013)
