Trump vow to build up U.S. nuclear arsenal prompts anger and disappointment among Hiroshima A-bomb survivors
Feb. 25, 2017
by Kyosuke Mizukawa, Staff Writer
In response to U.S. President Donald Trump advocating a build-up of that nation’s nuclear arsenal, A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima expressed anger and disappointment on February 24. Before being sworn in as president, Mr. Trump tweeted the same “violent wish” last December. It seems increasingly likely that the nuclear superpower will become even more of an impediment to the goal of realizing a world without nuclear weapons.
Toshiyuki Mimaki, 74, the vice chair of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hiroshima Hidankyo, chaired by Sunao Tsuboi), said he was disappointed by Mr. Trump’s remark, especially because it was made right before the beginning of negotiations to establish a treaty to ban nuclear weapons, which will commence at United Nations headquarters in New York in March. “The international community is moving toward the elimination of nuclear weapons. As the leader of a nuclear superpower, Mr. Trump should live up to his responsibilities by contributing to world peace and making appropriate remarks.”
Mr. Trump also suggested that his administration may revise the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which was concluded with Russia under the administration of Barack Obama. Sharing his concern, Mr. Mimaki said, “He might not only mess up the result of Mr. Obama’s work, but also set off an escalation of the arms race between the U.S. and Russia.”
With a look of disgust on his face, Kazuo Okoshi, 76, the secretary general of the other Hiroshima Hidankyo (chaired by Kunihiko Sakuma), said, “Another self-indulgent remark!” He went on to direct the brunt of his criticism at the Japanese government. “The government won assurance for the ‘nuclear umbrella’ when the leaders of the two nations met, but it doesn’t appear to see Mr. Trump’s move to reverse the trend of nuclear disarmament as a problem. The government’s attitude should be questioned.”
Kazumi Mizumoto, the vice president of the Hiroshima Peace Institute at Hiroshima City University and an expert on nuclear disarmament, said, “We can’t see the overall picture of Mr. Trump’s nuclear policy, but we can hardly hope that the U.S. will lead the efforts to advance nuclear disarmament.” He added, “The Republican government has close ties with military industries, which could lead to a policy shift toward beefing up the country’s nuclear arsenal.”
(Originally published on February 25, 2017)
In response to U.S. President Donald Trump advocating a build-up of that nation’s nuclear arsenal, A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima expressed anger and disappointment on February 24. Before being sworn in as president, Mr. Trump tweeted the same “violent wish” last December. It seems increasingly likely that the nuclear superpower will become even more of an impediment to the goal of realizing a world without nuclear weapons.
Toshiyuki Mimaki, 74, the vice chair of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hiroshima Hidankyo, chaired by Sunao Tsuboi), said he was disappointed by Mr. Trump’s remark, especially because it was made right before the beginning of negotiations to establish a treaty to ban nuclear weapons, which will commence at United Nations headquarters in New York in March. “The international community is moving toward the elimination of nuclear weapons. As the leader of a nuclear superpower, Mr. Trump should live up to his responsibilities by contributing to world peace and making appropriate remarks.”
Mr. Trump also suggested that his administration may revise the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which was concluded with Russia under the administration of Barack Obama. Sharing his concern, Mr. Mimaki said, “He might not only mess up the result of Mr. Obama’s work, but also set off an escalation of the arms race between the U.S. and Russia.”
With a look of disgust on his face, Kazuo Okoshi, 76, the secretary general of the other Hiroshima Hidankyo (chaired by Kunihiko Sakuma), said, “Another self-indulgent remark!” He went on to direct the brunt of his criticism at the Japanese government. “The government won assurance for the ‘nuclear umbrella’ when the leaders of the two nations met, but it doesn’t appear to see Mr. Trump’s move to reverse the trend of nuclear disarmament as a problem. The government’s attitude should be questioned.”
Kazumi Mizumoto, the vice president of the Hiroshima Peace Institute at Hiroshima City University and an expert on nuclear disarmament, said, “We can’t see the overall picture of Mr. Trump’s nuclear policy, but we can hardly hope that the U.S. will lead the efforts to advance nuclear disarmament.” He added, “The Republican government has close ties with military industries, which could lead to a policy shift toward beefing up the country’s nuclear arsenal.”
(Originally published on February 25, 2017)
