Hiroshima mayor returns from NPT Review Conference, hopes for progress on nuclear weapons convention
May 13, 2015
by Masanori Wada, Staff Writer
On May 8, in an interview at the Hiroshima City Office after returning from the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in New York, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui said he hopes that the final document, which the member parties will seek agreement on by the close of the conference, will include more detailed references to the early start of negotiations on a nuclear weapons convention.
Mr. Matsui arrived in New York on April 25 and was there for nine days. He made an address at the NGO (non-governmental organization) session, an official event of the Review Conference. In the interview he said, “In order to maintain and strengthen the NPT regime, we have to enhance our current approach and aim for a ban on nuclear weapons. I hope that the final document at the Review Conference will mention banning nuclear weapons.” He expressed hope that there will be progress in the discussions by May 22, the last day of the conference.
Mr. Matsui also said that, through a meeting with Austria’s foreign minister, who is enthusiastic about outlawing nuclear weapons, and a meeting with U.S. government representatives who support gradual arms reduction, he “could confirm their strong determination to make efforts to realize the abolition of nuclear arms.”
In addition, he mentioned the venue for next year’s G7 Summit, a matter that will be decided soon. Currently, eight Japanese cities, including Hiroshima, are seeking to host the summit. “The venue will be determined in line with the conference theme set by the central government,” Mr. Matsui said. However, he stressed the significance of hosting the summit in Hiroshima by saying, “Peace is a global issue.”
(Originally published on May 9, 2015)
On May 8, in an interview at the Hiroshima City Office after returning from the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in New York, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui said he hopes that the final document, which the member parties will seek agreement on by the close of the conference, will include more detailed references to the early start of negotiations on a nuclear weapons convention.
Mr. Matsui arrived in New York on April 25 and was there for nine days. He made an address at the NGO (non-governmental organization) session, an official event of the Review Conference. In the interview he said, “In order to maintain and strengthen the NPT regime, we have to enhance our current approach and aim for a ban on nuclear weapons. I hope that the final document at the Review Conference will mention banning nuclear weapons.” He expressed hope that there will be progress in the discussions by May 22, the last day of the conference.
Mr. Matsui also said that, through a meeting with Austria’s foreign minister, who is enthusiastic about outlawing nuclear weapons, and a meeting with U.S. government representatives who support gradual arms reduction, he “could confirm their strong determination to make efforts to realize the abolition of nuclear arms.”
In addition, he mentioned the venue for next year’s G7 Summit, a matter that will be decided soon. Currently, eight Japanese cities, including Hiroshima, are seeking to host the summit. “The venue will be determined in line with the conference theme set by the central government,” Mr. Matsui said. However, he stressed the significance of hosting the summit in Hiroshima by saying, “Peace is a global issue.”
(Originally published on May 9, 2015)
