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World Conferences continue antinuclear discussions in Nagasaki

by Yumi Kanazaki, Staff Writer

The twin World Conferences Against A and H Bombs continued their discussions at meetings and forums in Nagasaki on August 8. One world conference is being organized by the Japan Congress Against A- and H- Bombs and its affiliated organizations, while the other world conference is organized by the Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs and its affiliated organizations.

The world conference organized by the Japan Congress held 14 theme-based meetings, including one on the current conditions of second- and third-generation A-bomb survivors. The Japan Congress, along with the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC) and the National Council for Peace and Against Nuclear Weapons, jointly held a symposium at which Hiromichi Umebayashi, special adviser to Peace Depot, commented on North Korea’s nuclear development: “The more North Korea tries to strengthen its security by expanding its military capability, the more its neighbors are trying to counter it with military approaches. To break this vicious circle, we must establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Northeast Asia.”

The Japan Council held an international exchange forum. Juan Jose Gomez Camacho, permanent representative of Mexico in Geneva referred to the Review Conference for the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) to be held next spring and expressed his hopes that citizens will display proactive initiative in regard to government policies. “Citizens in democratic societies are not observers, but central players,” Mr. Camacho said. The Japan Council also held 17 theme-based meetings, including one concerning relief measures for A-bomb survivors.

(Originally published on August 9, 2009)

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