Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations starts regular general meeting and criticizes “Hiroshima Vision”
Jun. 21, 2023
by Koji Higuchi, Staff Writer
On June 20, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) began its regular general meeting at a hotel in Tokyo. Terumi Tanaka, 91, co-chair of the organization, mentioned the “Hiroshima Vision,” a joint statement on nuclear disarmament adopted at the summit meeting of the Group of Seven industrialized nations (the G7 Hiroshima Summit) held in May, and again voiced his objection. He said, “The document states the security of Japan will be maintained by making the best use of nuclear weapons.” The general meeting was held through June 21.
About 80 people from A-bomb survivors’ organizations around Japan participated in the general meeting. Mr. Tanaka, who addressed the participants, pointed out the Hiroshima Vision, which contains a statement virtually affirming nuclear deterrence, “does not touch on A-bomb survivors and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) at all.” He said to the participants that “despite our old age, we have to work harder to carry on campaigns” for nuclear abolition.
Sueichi Kido, 83, secretary-general of Nihon Hidankyo, who delivered a keynote speech, stressed, “the threat of nuclear weapons use is growing more and more” due to Russia’s protracted invasion of Ukraine. He criticized the Japanese government’s response, saying, “The Japanese government is solidifying a military alliance with the United States without working for peace.” He called for peaceful diplomacy based on Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan.
At the meeting, Nihon Hidankyo also reported on its activities during the last fiscal year. The organization reflected on its dispatch of a delegation to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference held in the United States and their campaign calling on the Japanese government to sign and ratify the TPNW.
(Originally published on June, 21, 2023)
On June 20, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) began its regular general meeting at a hotel in Tokyo. Terumi Tanaka, 91, co-chair of the organization, mentioned the “Hiroshima Vision,” a joint statement on nuclear disarmament adopted at the summit meeting of the Group of Seven industrialized nations (the G7 Hiroshima Summit) held in May, and again voiced his objection. He said, “The document states the security of Japan will be maintained by making the best use of nuclear weapons.” The general meeting was held through June 21.
About 80 people from A-bomb survivors’ organizations around Japan participated in the general meeting. Mr. Tanaka, who addressed the participants, pointed out the Hiroshima Vision, which contains a statement virtually affirming nuclear deterrence, “does not touch on A-bomb survivors and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) at all.” He said to the participants that “despite our old age, we have to work harder to carry on campaigns” for nuclear abolition.
Sueichi Kido, 83, secretary-general of Nihon Hidankyo, who delivered a keynote speech, stressed, “the threat of nuclear weapons use is growing more and more” due to Russia’s protracted invasion of Ukraine. He criticized the Japanese government’s response, saying, “The Japanese government is solidifying a military alliance with the United States without working for peace.” He called for peaceful diplomacy based on Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan.
At the meeting, Nihon Hidankyo also reported on its activities during the last fiscal year. The organization reflected on its dispatch of a delegation to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference held in the United States and their campaign calling on the Japanese government to sign and ratify the TPNW.
(Originally published on June, 21, 2023)
