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by Kana Kobayashi, Staff Writer

On February 24, one year after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, seven A-bomb survivors organizations, including the two different Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hiroshima Hidankyo), demanded that Russian President Vladimir Putin immediately cease the invasion. The groups challenged the nuclear superpower leader, who has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons. “Would you really launch nuclear weapons? Are you willing to ignore the wishes of A-bomb survivors?” they questioned pointedly.

At Hiroshima City Hall, representatives of the seven organizations participated in a press conference and announced their message addressed to Mr. Putin. They demanded cessation of the invasion and withdrawal from Ukraine. “If a solution is sought through dialogue, a path to peace will appear, and the world will regain its brightness.” The representatives indicated the message is to be mailed to the Russian Embassy in Tokyo.

Toshiyuki Mimaki, 80, chair of one of the Hiroshima Hidankyo organizations, said at the press conference, “A-bomb survivors of Hiroshima hope to see an end to this war as soon as possible.” Kunihiko Sakuma, 78, chair of the other Hiroshima Hidankyo, said, “Russian troops should withdraw immediately and the war be resolved through dialogue,” urging the Japanese government to serve as a “bridge” between the warring nations. On the same day, the seven organizations mailed a message to the office of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, calling on his administration to make diplomatic efforts to bring a halt to the invasion.

Elsewhere, the executive committee of the group Peace for Ukraine! Hiroshima Citizens Action took to the streets near the Hondori streetcar stop, in Hiroshima’s centrally located Naka Ward. About 100 participants, including A-bomb survivors and other members of the public, called for Russia’s immediate withdrawal from Ukraine.

(Originally published on February 25, 2023)