“Embarrassing,” “Worrying too much about U.S.”: A-bomb survivors express anger over Japan’s decision not to participate in TPNW meeting as observer
Jan. 26, 2025
by Junya Kuchimoto and Mitsuhisa Ogawa, Staff Writers
On January 25, A-bomb survivors and citizens of Hiroshima expressed their anger after the Japanese government announced it would not participate as an observer in the third meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), to be held in March. The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), which has been conveying A-bomb experiences to the world and supported the establishment of the TPNW, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year, and this year marks the 80th anniversaries of the atomic bombings. There should be a growing trend toward the abolition of nuclear weapons now. But the government of the A-bombed nation has poured cold water.
Toshiyuki Mimaki, 82, co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo and chair of Hiroshima Hidankyo, commented, “Nihon Hidankyo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and this year marks the 80th anniversaries of the atomic bombings. The Japanese government’s decision is downright disappointing.”
He received the award certificate at the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony in Oslo, Norway, last December, and renewed his resolution to strive for the realization of a world without nuclear weapons or war. On January 8, he met with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the Prime Minister’s official residence and urged him to participate in the meeting as an observer. “I guess the Prime Minister had no such intention. I’m angry,” he said.
Kunihiko Sakuma, 80, chair of the other Hiroshima Hidankyo, also expressed his anger, saying, “The government of the A-bombed nation should make its position clear and call for the abolition of nuclear weapons. It’s embarrassing.” He is determined to continue seeking action from the government.
“The government is worried too much about the U.S. and missed a good opportunity,” said Takashi Hiraoka, 97, former mayor of Hiroshima. He also said, “As Nihon Hidankyo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the public has a higher interest in this issue. This was the perfect time to take action towards a world without nuclear weapons.” Keiko Ogura, 87, an A-bomb survivor who attended the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony and provided testimony there, said, “All I can say is that I’m disappointed. If it’s really difficult to participate, at least I would like them to explain honestly why they cannot participate,” she said.
Yoshifumi Ishida, 61, director of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (Naka Ward, Hiroshima), expressed his frustration. “I wanted the government to listen to the thoughts of the signatory nations at the meeting and play a role in building bridges between nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states.”
(Originally published on January 26, 2025)
On January 25, A-bomb survivors and citizens of Hiroshima expressed their anger after the Japanese government announced it would not participate as an observer in the third meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), to be held in March. The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), which has been conveying A-bomb experiences to the world and supported the establishment of the TPNW, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year, and this year marks the 80th anniversaries of the atomic bombings. There should be a growing trend toward the abolition of nuclear weapons now. But the government of the A-bombed nation has poured cold water.
Toshiyuki Mimaki, 82, co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo and chair of Hiroshima Hidankyo, commented, “Nihon Hidankyo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and this year marks the 80th anniversaries of the atomic bombings. The Japanese government’s decision is downright disappointing.”
He received the award certificate at the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony in Oslo, Norway, last December, and renewed his resolution to strive for the realization of a world without nuclear weapons or war. On January 8, he met with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the Prime Minister’s official residence and urged him to participate in the meeting as an observer. “I guess the Prime Minister had no such intention. I’m angry,” he said.
Kunihiko Sakuma, 80, chair of the other Hiroshima Hidankyo, also expressed his anger, saying, “The government of the A-bombed nation should make its position clear and call for the abolition of nuclear weapons. It’s embarrassing.” He is determined to continue seeking action from the government.
“The government is worried too much about the U.S. and missed a good opportunity,” said Takashi Hiraoka, 97, former mayor of Hiroshima. He also said, “As Nihon Hidankyo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the public has a higher interest in this issue. This was the perfect time to take action towards a world without nuclear weapons.” Keiko Ogura, 87, an A-bomb survivor who attended the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony and provided testimony there, said, “All I can say is that I’m disappointed. If it’s really difficult to participate, at least I would like them to explain honestly why they cannot participate,” she said.
Yoshifumi Ishida, 61, director of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (Naka Ward, Hiroshima), expressed his frustration. “I wanted the government to listen to the thoughts of the signatory nations at the meeting and play a role in building bridges between nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states.”
(Originally published on January 26, 2025)
