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Prime Minister Hatoyama cautious about legislating three non-nuclear principles

by Kohei Okata, Staff Writer

Prime Minister Yukio Hatomaya met with Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba and Hiroyuki Fujita, chairman of the Hiroshima City Council, at the office of the prime minister on April 16. Mr. Hatoyama clearly expressed his intention to adhere to the three non-nuclear principles, though remained cautious about enshrining these principles into law. Regarding Hiroshima's interest in hosting the Summer Olympics in 2020, Mr. Hatoyama shared his personal support for the effort.

According to Mayor Akiba, Prime Minister Hatoyama said, "The importance of the three non-nuclear principles will not change. I intend to announce Japan's adherence to the principles both at home and abroad." However, Mr. Hatoyama pointed out that a number of issues would need to be resolved before the principles could be legislated into law. He simply indicated that he will consider the matter.

Mayor Akiba expressed his gratitude to the prime minister for saying "I would like to support Hiroshima's bid for the Olympics" at a meeting of the Lower House Budget Committee held in February. In his remarks with the mayor, Mr. Hatoyama reportedly said, referring to the competitive international bidding for the Games, "Hiroshima has strong appeal as the site for the Olympic Games. Personally, I still feel the same way as I indicated at the Diet."

Meanwhile, Mr. Hatoyama reiterated that his attendance at the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference to be held in New York in May will be unlikely due to a hectic schedule.

Mayor Akiba and Mr. Fujita also appealed to Chinami Nishimura, parliamentary vice-minister for Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Azuma Konno, deputy secretary-general of the Democratic Party of Japan, to legislate the three non-nuclear principles.

(Originally published on April 17, 2010)

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