×

News

Yamaguchi prefectural governor declares his intent not to sign Hibakusha Appeal to ‘respect Japanese government’s efforts’

At a regular press conference on October 27, Yamaguchi Prefecture Governor Tsugumasa Muraoka touched on the effectuation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in January next year. “Wishes and actions of A-bomb survivors and related organizations bore fruit. Their strong belief and hope for nuclear abolition has spread in international society and led to this outcome,” he said. Meanwhile, in keeping with the policy of the Japanese national government, he reiterated his intent not to cooperate in the Hibakusha Appeal, which calls on all nations to ratify the treaty.

In response to a question about his reaction to the treaty’s coming into effect, Mr. Muraoka said, “I recognize that the realization of a peaceful world without nuclear weapons is a wish shared by humanity.” However, on the grounds that the Japanese government has not ratified the TPNW, Mr. Muraoka professed, “I’m not thinking of signing the Hibakusha Appeal at the moment, because my position calls for respect of the Japanese government’s efforts, although I strongly hope for nuclear abolition itself.” Mr. Muraoka has always expressed reluctance to cooperate in the Hibakusha Appeal.

Mr. Muraoka served as head of Hiroshima City’s financial division from 2002 to 2005, as a staff member on loan from the Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

(Originally published on October 28, 2020)

Archives