High barriers to TPNW: Prime Minister Kishida meets with A-bomb survivors, expressing negative stance on participation
Aug. 7, 2023
by Keiichi Nagayama and Satoshi Hirata, Staff Writers
On August 6, a meeting to hear requests from representatives of atomic-bomb survivors, hosted by the City of Hiroshima and attended by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, was held at a hotel in the city’s Naka Ward. Seven organizations, including the two Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hiroshima Hidankyo), criticized the fact that the Hiroshima Vision, a joint document on nuclear disarmament adopted at the summit meeting of the Group of Seven (G7), made no mention of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and called for the early signature and ratification of the treaty. While the prime minister’s side idealized a world without nuclear weapons, he expressed a negative stance on treaty participation, as in the past.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Kishida emphasized the achievements of the Hiroshima Summit, in which world leaders listened to the voice of an A-bomb survivor and had the chance to learn about the devastation caused by the A-bombing firsthand. He said, “I will enhance international momentum for nuclear disarmament once again,” and expressed his intention to proceed with efforts based on the Hiroshima Vision.
On the other hand, the requests submitted by the seven organizations criticized the Hiroshima Vision, based on the theory of nuclear deterrence, stating it failed to present a roadmap for nuclear disarmament and abolition. They argued it had become even clearer the abolition of nuclear weapons can only be achieved through the TPNW.
Some representatives of the A-bomb survivors also called on Mr. Kishida to attend, at least as an observer, the Second Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW to be held in November.
Mr. Kishida pointed out the severe security environment and the current lack of participation of nuclear weapon states in the treaty. He said, “As the only A-bombed nation, it is our responsibility to involve the nuclear weapon states in the treaty,” and he did not show a positive attitude to participate as an observer.
After the meeting, Toshiyuki Mimaki, 81, chair of the Hiroshima Hidankyo, said, “We believe nuclear weapons are an absolute evil, and the politicians’ views do not match ours,” and expressed his frustration with the Japanese government’s consideration for nuclear weapon states. Kunihiko Sakuma, 78, chair of the other Hiroshima Hidankyo, also expressed concern about the spread of the theory of nuclear deterrence, saying the abolition of nuclear weapons was regressing.
(Originally published on August 7, 2023)
On August 6, a meeting to hear requests from representatives of atomic-bomb survivors, hosted by the City of Hiroshima and attended by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, was held at a hotel in the city’s Naka Ward. Seven organizations, including the two Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hiroshima Hidankyo), criticized the fact that the Hiroshima Vision, a joint document on nuclear disarmament adopted at the summit meeting of the Group of Seven (G7), made no mention of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and called for the early signature and ratification of the treaty. While the prime minister’s side idealized a world without nuclear weapons, he expressed a negative stance on treaty participation, as in the past.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Kishida emphasized the achievements of the Hiroshima Summit, in which world leaders listened to the voice of an A-bomb survivor and had the chance to learn about the devastation caused by the A-bombing firsthand. He said, “I will enhance international momentum for nuclear disarmament once again,” and expressed his intention to proceed with efforts based on the Hiroshima Vision.
On the other hand, the requests submitted by the seven organizations criticized the Hiroshima Vision, based on the theory of nuclear deterrence, stating it failed to present a roadmap for nuclear disarmament and abolition. They argued it had become even clearer the abolition of nuclear weapons can only be achieved through the TPNW.
Some representatives of the A-bomb survivors also called on Mr. Kishida to attend, at least as an observer, the Second Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW to be held in November.
Mr. Kishida pointed out the severe security environment and the current lack of participation of nuclear weapon states in the treaty. He said, “As the only A-bombed nation, it is our responsibility to involve the nuclear weapon states in the treaty,” and he did not show a positive attitude to participate as an observer.
After the meeting, Toshiyuki Mimaki, 81, chair of the Hiroshima Hidankyo, said, “We believe nuclear weapons are an absolute evil, and the politicians’ views do not match ours,” and expressed his frustration with the Japanese government’s consideration for nuclear weapon states. Kunihiko Sakuma, 78, chair of the other Hiroshima Hidankyo, also expressed concern about the spread of the theory of nuclear deterrence, saying the abolition of nuclear weapons was regressing.
(Originally published on August 7, 2023)
