On August 6, seven Hiroshima A-bomb survivors’ groups to urge Japanese government to sign and ratify nuclear weapons ban treaty
Jun. 30, 2020
(by Kyoko Niiyama, Staff Writer)
On June 29, seven Hiroshima A-bomb survivors’ groups came to a decision to incorporate plans to urge the Japanese government to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons into their demands to be conveyed to the Japanese government on August 6 this year, the date of the Hiroshima atomic bombing 75 years ago. With the Japanese national government consistently refusing to deal with the treaty, the A-bomb survivors’ groups believe that altering the government’s stance is of utmost importance in the struggle to eradicate nuclear weapons. This year’s appeal marks the fourth year in a row that the groups have called for ratification.
The above-mentioned request to urge the Japanese government to sign and ratify the nuclear ban treaty, which was approved at a meeting held at Hiroshima City Hall on June 29, will be presented to the government as a joint message from the seven Hiroshima A-bomb survivors’ groups in “a meeting with representatives of A-bomb survivors” to be organized by the city government on August 6. “Our appeal in this milestone year is especially important as the number of A-bomb survivors decreases,” emphasized Toshiyuki Mimaki, 78, vice-chair of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organization (Hiroshima Hidankyo, chaired by Sunao Tsuboi). “We intend to send the government a message that will move Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to action.”
The June 29 meeting was attended by 10 representatives from six of the seven A-bomb survivors’ groups, excepting the Hiroshima Alliance of A-bomb Survivor Organizations. The discussion was held partially behind closed doors. According to attendees, with the idea in mind that Mr. Abe will be present at the August 6 meeting, the participants were of the opinion that the A-bomb survivors’ groups should continue to call on the Japanese government to sign and ratify the treaty until it does so and that this desire was shared by all A-bomb survivors’ groups.
As for demands to be made by individual A-bomb survivors’ groups, Hiroshima Hidankyo will demand the preservation of all four of the former Army Clothing Depot buildings, which are the city’s largest A-bombed structures whose preservation continues to be the subject of debate. The other Hiroshima Hidankyo group (chaired by Kunihiko Sakuma) will call for expansion of the designated black rain area, as it did last year.
“In the same way that the world is fighting hard to eradicate the novel coronavirus, the entire world should also work to eradicate nuclear weapons,” said Mr. Sakuma, 75. “I want to convey this message to the Japanese government as the desire of all A-bomb survivors.”
(Originally published on June 30, 2020)
On June 29, seven Hiroshima A-bomb survivors’ groups came to a decision to incorporate plans to urge the Japanese government to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons into their demands to be conveyed to the Japanese government on August 6 this year, the date of the Hiroshima atomic bombing 75 years ago. With the Japanese national government consistently refusing to deal with the treaty, the A-bomb survivors’ groups believe that altering the government’s stance is of utmost importance in the struggle to eradicate nuclear weapons. This year’s appeal marks the fourth year in a row that the groups have called for ratification.
The above-mentioned request to urge the Japanese government to sign and ratify the nuclear ban treaty, which was approved at a meeting held at Hiroshima City Hall on June 29, will be presented to the government as a joint message from the seven Hiroshima A-bomb survivors’ groups in “a meeting with representatives of A-bomb survivors” to be organized by the city government on August 6. “Our appeal in this milestone year is especially important as the number of A-bomb survivors decreases,” emphasized Toshiyuki Mimaki, 78, vice-chair of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organization (Hiroshima Hidankyo, chaired by Sunao Tsuboi). “We intend to send the government a message that will move Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to action.”
The June 29 meeting was attended by 10 representatives from six of the seven A-bomb survivors’ groups, excepting the Hiroshima Alliance of A-bomb Survivor Organizations. The discussion was held partially behind closed doors. According to attendees, with the idea in mind that Mr. Abe will be present at the August 6 meeting, the participants were of the opinion that the A-bomb survivors’ groups should continue to call on the Japanese government to sign and ratify the treaty until it does so and that this desire was shared by all A-bomb survivors’ groups.
As for demands to be made by individual A-bomb survivors’ groups, Hiroshima Hidankyo will demand the preservation of all four of the former Army Clothing Depot buildings, which are the city’s largest A-bombed structures whose preservation continues to be the subject of debate. The other Hiroshima Hidankyo group (chaired by Kunihiko Sakuma) will call for expansion of the designated black rain area, as it did last year.
“In the same way that the world is fighting hard to eradicate the novel coronavirus, the entire world should also work to eradicate nuclear weapons,” said Mr. Sakuma, 75. “I want to convey this message to the Japanese government as the desire of all A-bomb survivors.”
(Originally published on June 30, 2020)
