Unbridgeable gap regarding TPNW: A-bomb survivors call for meeting participation and treaty ratification, while prime minister maintains negative stance
Aug. 7, 2024
by Masanori Wada, Yo Kono, and Koji Higuchi, Staff Writers
On August 6, a meeting with representatives of A-bomb survivors designed to give voice to their demands was held in Hiroshima’s Naka Ward, with Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also in attendance. Seven Hiroshima A-bomb survivors’ groups, including the two Hiroshima Prefectural Confederations of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, urged the government to participate as an observer in the meeting of State Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) scheduled for 2025, the 80th year since the atomic bombings. However, Mr. Kishida expressed his negative view of the treaty, saying, “The reality won’t change unless the nuclear powers are swayed.”
A written request submitted by the seven groups urged the government, which is reluctant to engage in the treaty, to change its stance. “Even if Japan has not signed or ratified [the treaty], it can be involved from the standpoint of the rule of law and humanitarianism.” The groups pressed Mr. Kishida, whose term as president of the Liberal Democratic Party is set to expire this September, to “lay out concrete steps toward a ‘world without nuclear weapons’ while still in office without fail.”
In addition, many of the demands made separately by each of the survivors’ groups called for the government’s active involvement. Toshiyuki Mimaki, 82, chair of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hiroshima Hidankyo), voiced his opinion. “We hope that both the United States, which dropped the atomic bombs, and Japan, which suffered the consequences, will sign and ratify the treaty together,” said Mr. Mimaki. Kunihiko Sakuma, 79, chair of the other Hiroshima Hidankyo, argued that the participation of Japan, the only country to have experienced an A-bomb attack in wartime, “would have a great impact on non-ratifying countries.”
In response, Prime Minister Kishida stressed, “Those working for the ban treaty and the Japanese government share the same goal.” He added, “Japan’s concrete efforts are designed to bring the nuclear powers as close as possible to the treaty’s goal of a ‘world without nuclear weapons.’”
After the meeting, Mr. Mimaki expressed his indignation. “Why doesn’t the A-bombed country of Japan take a proactive lead on this issue? It’s regrettable,” he said.
At a press conference held after the meeting, Prime Minister Kishida referred to a project to pass on A-bomb survivors’ experiences in the atomic bombings that both the Hiroshima and Nagasaki city governments are pushing forward ahead of the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings, stressing, “The government hopes to provide full backing for the promotion of activities to raise awareness for the project utilizing digital technology.”
(Originally published on August 7, 2024)
On August 6, a meeting with representatives of A-bomb survivors designed to give voice to their demands was held in Hiroshima’s Naka Ward, with Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also in attendance. Seven Hiroshima A-bomb survivors’ groups, including the two Hiroshima Prefectural Confederations of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, urged the government to participate as an observer in the meeting of State Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) scheduled for 2025, the 80th year since the atomic bombings. However, Mr. Kishida expressed his negative view of the treaty, saying, “The reality won’t change unless the nuclear powers are swayed.”
A written request submitted by the seven groups urged the government, which is reluctant to engage in the treaty, to change its stance. “Even if Japan has not signed or ratified [the treaty], it can be involved from the standpoint of the rule of law and humanitarianism.” The groups pressed Mr. Kishida, whose term as president of the Liberal Democratic Party is set to expire this September, to “lay out concrete steps toward a ‘world without nuclear weapons’ while still in office without fail.”
In addition, many of the demands made separately by each of the survivors’ groups called for the government’s active involvement. Toshiyuki Mimaki, 82, chair of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hiroshima Hidankyo), voiced his opinion. “We hope that both the United States, which dropped the atomic bombs, and Japan, which suffered the consequences, will sign and ratify the treaty together,” said Mr. Mimaki. Kunihiko Sakuma, 79, chair of the other Hiroshima Hidankyo, argued that the participation of Japan, the only country to have experienced an A-bomb attack in wartime, “would have a great impact on non-ratifying countries.”
In response, Prime Minister Kishida stressed, “Those working for the ban treaty and the Japanese government share the same goal.” He added, “Japan’s concrete efforts are designed to bring the nuclear powers as close as possible to the treaty’s goal of a ‘world without nuclear weapons.’”
After the meeting, Mr. Mimaki expressed his indignation. “Why doesn’t the A-bombed country of Japan take a proactive lead on this issue? It’s regrettable,” he said.
At a press conference held after the meeting, Prime Minister Kishida referred to a project to pass on A-bomb survivors’ experiences in the atomic bombings that both the Hiroshima and Nagasaki city governments are pushing forward ahead of the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings, stressing, “The government hopes to provide full backing for the promotion of activities to raise awareness for the project utilizing digital technology.”
(Originally published on August 7, 2024)
