A-bomb survivors renew determination for nuclear abolition after U.N. adopts nuclear ban treaty
Jul. 9, 2017
by Michiko Tanaka, Staff Writer
In the wake of the United Nation’s adoption of a treaty which outlaws nuclear weapons, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) held a news conference in Tokyo on July 8 and released a statement saying that the adoption of the treaty is a source of joy for all A-bomb survivors. They said that the path to nuclear abolition, for which the survivors have been appealing since the confederation was founded 61 years ago, is finally in sight, and they have now renewed their determination to advance the ultimate goal of realizing the complete abolition of all nuclear weapons.
Terumi Tanaka, 85, the co-chairperson, and four other board members of the confederation released the statement. Mikiso Iwasa, 88, an advisor to the group who was exposed to the atomic bombing in Hiroshima and lost his mother and sister to the bomb, said that the A-bomb victims have not died in vain. With strong emotion, Mr. Iwasa added, “The honor of the A-bomb victims won’t be fully restored until the moment that all the nuclear weapons have been abolished. Until that day, I’ll continue to work hard, despite my old age, to promote our grassroots campaign for the abolition of nuclear weapons.”
Mr. Tanaka said that he had been watching the United Nations website to know how the U.N. conference negotiations were going until the early morning of July 8. “In their speeches after the treaty was adopted, the delegates from each country talked with appreciation about the role that the Hiroshima and Nagasaki A-bomb survivors have played toward the conclusion of the treaty. I think we’ve finally been able to overcome a big obstacle,” he said, savoring the joy of this success. On the other hand, regarding the remarks made by the Japanese ambassador to the United Nations, who stated that the Japanese government will not sign the treaty, Mr. Tanaka said this was very regrettable and that public opinion must continue to be galvanized for the cause of nuclear abolition.
(Originally published on July 9, 2017)
In the wake of the United Nation’s adoption of a treaty which outlaws nuclear weapons, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) held a news conference in Tokyo on July 8 and released a statement saying that the adoption of the treaty is a source of joy for all A-bomb survivors. They said that the path to nuclear abolition, for which the survivors have been appealing since the confederation was founded 61 years ago, is finally in sight, and they have now renewed their determination to advance the ultimate goal of realizing the complete abolition of all nuclear weapons.
Terumi Tanaka, 85, the co-chairperson, and four other board members of the confederation released the statement. Mikiso Iwasa, 88, an advisor to the group who was exposed to the atomic bombing in Hiroshima and lost his mother and sister to the bomb, said that the A-bomb victims have not died in vain. With strong emotion, Mr. Iwasa added, “The honor of the A-bomb victims won’t be fully restored until the moment that all the nuclear weapons have been abolished. Until that day, I’ll continue to work hard, despite my old age, to promote our grassroots campaign for the abolition of nuclear weapons.”
Mr. Tanaka said that he had been watching the United Nations website to know how the U.N. conference negotiations were going until the early morning of July 8. “In their speeches after the treaty was adopted, the delegates from each country talked with appreciation about the role that the Hiroshima and Nagasaki A-bomb survivors have played toward the conclusion of the treaty. I think we’ve finally been able to overcome a big obstacle,” he said, savoring the joy of this success. On the other hand, regarding the remarks made by the Japanese ambassador to the United Nations, who stated that the Japanese government will not sign the treaty, Mr. Tanaka said this was very regrettable and that public opinion must continue to be galvanized for the cause of nuclear abolition.
(Originally published on July 9, 2017)
