(May 29, 1998, The Chugoku Shimbun)

Outrageous Act Ignoring World Opinion Mayor of Hiroshima City Takashi Hiraoka

Hiroshima Mayor Takashi Hiraoka, on his official trip to Canada/America, expressed his protest against Pakistan's nuclear device by telephone from Detroit on May 28, 1998.

The Mayor said, "I'm outraged by Pakistan's trampling on the hopes of the international society who desire a wold free from nuclear weapons. I strongly protest under the name of Hiroshima." He pointed out, "I'm concerned that their test may magnify the danger that the tensions in South Asia will escalate and spur a nuclear weapons competition. I'm also afraid that their test may lead to a breakdown of the Non-Proliferation Treaty frame. The reason behind their test is the fact that those Big 5 nuclear states are repeatedly conducting subcritical nuclear tests and not showing their sincere efforts toward nuclear disarmament." He demanded the world to work devotedly to build a new frame for the national security.

More Efforts Demanded For Achieving Peaceful World Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture Yuzan Fujita

Just like India did, Pakistan also challenged the international society which truly wishes everlasting peace. I strongly protest against their test and demand that Pakistan place an immediate moratorium on nuclear tests and insist they make a harder effort for achieving a world free from nuclear weapons.