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Nuclear abolition conferences continue with second day, call for stronger public opinion

by Jumpei Fujimura, Staff Writer

On August 8, parallel nuclear abolition conferences, both termed the World Conference Against A & H Bombs, held forums and workshops in Nagasaki. One world conference is organized mainly by the Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo), while the other is being held by the Japan Congress Against A- and H-Bombs (Gensuikin) and its affiliated organizations. With guests from overseas, the participants discussed measures to advance the abolition of nuclear weapons and the elimination of nuclear energy.

Gensuikyo held an international forum where representatives of nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) engaged in discussion. The forum was held at Nagasaki University’s Nakabe Hall, with about 160 people in attendance. Tomas Magnusson, co-president of the International Peace Bureau, headquartered in Switzerland, shared a time when a peace movement helped halt a nuclear weapons development program in Sweden and said that nuclear disarmament can only be advanced if public opinion for abolition grows.

Claude Heller, Mexico’s ambassador to Japan, expressed concern about the impact on society and the economy if nuclear weapons were used. Mr. Heller called on national governments and NGOs to work together, saying that the abolition of nuclear weapons is an obligation held not only by the nuclear weapons states but by the world as a whole.

The Gensuikin workshops were held at Nagasaki Shimbun Culture Hall and other venues. About 150 people took part in a workshop on eliminating nuclear energy. Jens Kendzia, senior advisor of the Green Party Group in the German Parliament, pointed out that Japan was in an advantageous place to push forward with ending its reliance on nuclear energy. Mr. Kendzia noted the long hours of sunlight for solar power and the growing body of research on energy efficiency.

Lee Sang-hong, a representative of the Korean Federation for Environmental Movement of Gyeongiu, explained that among the 23 nuclear power plants in South Korea, 17 are located on the east coast of the country, facing the Japan Sea. He said that if an accident occurred at a South Korean plant, Japan would be hit hardest due to westerly winds. He called for the participants to join hands to create societies which will move away from the use of nuclear energy.

(Originally published on August 9, 2013)

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