Hiroshima governor seeks leadership of U.N. in abolition effort
Aug. 4, 2010
by Kiyoko Takahashi, Staff Writer
At a press conference on July 3, Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki expressed his intention to voice the request to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that the United Nations exert leadership in the effort toward nuclear abolition. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will attend the Peace Memorial Ceremony to be held on August 6.
Governor Yuzaki referred to the significance of state leaders recognizing the tragedy wrought by the atomic bomb by visiting Hiroshima. The governor said, "I would like to ask that the Secretary-General, as head of the United Nations, encourage state leaders to visit Hiroshima." Governor Yuzaki will see Secretary-General Ban on August 5 and 6.
With regard to the first-ever attendance at the ceremony by government representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, all nuclear weapons states, Mr. Yuzaki stressed, "I would like the representatives to recognize the devastation caused by the atomic bomb, hold a strong resolve for achieving the abolition of nuclear weapons, and feel conviction for the importance of peace." He also expressed hope that this participation will serve as an opportunity to increase international momentum for nuclear abolition.
Governor Yuzaki expressed support for the Peace Declaration by Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba, saying, "There is a deep contradiction in the fact that Japan is under the U.S. nuclear umbrella." He also conveyed support for legislating the three non-nuclear principles, also mentioned in the declaration.
(Originally published on August 4, 2010)
At a press conference on July 3, Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki expressed his intention to voice the request to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that the United Nations exert leadership in the effort toward nuclear abolition. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will attend the Peace Memorial Ceremony to be held on August 6.
Governor Yuzaki referred to the significance of state leaders recognizing the tragedy wrought by the atomic bomb by visiting Hiroshima. The governor said, "I would like to ask that the Secretary-General, as head of the United Nations, encourage state leaders to visit Hiroshima." Governor Yuzaki will see Secretary-General Ban on August 5 and 6.
With regard to the first-ever attendance at the ceremony by government representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, all nuclear weapons states, Mr. Yuzaki stressed, "I would like the representatives to recognize the devastation caused by the atomic bomb, hold a strong resolve for achieving the abolition of nuclear weapons, and feel conviction for the importance of peace." He also expressed hope that this participation will serve as an opportunity to increase international momentum for nuclear abolition.
Governor Yuzaki expressed support for the Peace Declaration by Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba, saying, "There is a deep contradiction in the fact that Japan is under the U.S. nuclear umbrella." He also conveyed support for legislating the three non-nuclear principles, also mentioned in the declaration.
(Originally published on August 4, 2010)
