[Hiroshima Summit May 19 through 21] “Both no-use and reduction of nuclear weapons will be emphasized.”: Interview with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida a week ahead of summit’s kick-off
May 13, 2023
Showing a willingness to cooperate with the developing nations
by Koji Higuchi, Staff Writer
On May 12, a week prior to the summit meeting of The G7 (Group of Seven industrialized nations) in Hiroshima, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida participated in an interview with the Chugoku Shimbun. While Russia has continually threatened the use of nuclear weapons since its invasion into Ukraine, Mr. Kishida stressed the idea of delivering a joint message which values the “history of non-use of nuclear weapons” and “efforts for reducing nuclear stockpiles” at the summit meeting to be held for the first time in the A-bombed city. He also preached about the importance to join forces and work together with emerging/developing nations to resolve the global challenges such as climate change.
Mr. Kishida, an advocate for a world without nuclear weapons, stressed it is of great significance for G7 leaders to meet together and have discussions in Hiroshima, a city pursuing a peaceful world. Touching on the fact that Russia went against the trend of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, he made an appeal about the Hiroshima G7 summit where he will serve as chair, by saying “I want to make it a place for fostering momentum again toward a world without nuclear weapons.”
Asked about the G7’s upcoming joint message, he expressed intent to use the “Hiroshima Action Plan,” which he proposed himself, as a basis for the document, including a continuation of no use of nuclear weapons, and improvement of transparency of the nuclear forces possessed by nuclear nations.
He also said that collaboration with emerging/developing nations, the so-called “Global South,” was essential to resolve issues in the fields of energy, public health and development. He then added, “From G7’s perspective, we want to discuss how we are able to contribute to or cooperate with them.”
There is a view that U.S. president Joe Biden may join the summit online if Congressional discussions take longer than expected for raising the U.S. federal government’s borrowing limit. While Mr. Kishida hinted the president’s attendance would be decided by the U.S. government, he said, “We are still scheduled to welcome him to Japan in-person as of now.”
(Originally published on May 13, 2023)
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