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A-bomb survivors express frustration, hopes for President Obama’s second term

by Michiko Tanaka and Kenichiro Nozaki, Staff Writers

After a fiercely-contested presidential race, Barack Obama has been reelected president of the United States. Some in Hiroshima, including A-bomb survivors, expressed mixed feelings on November 7. While holding a powerful desire for the “world without nuclear weapons” that Mr. Obama has envisioned, they feel frustrated with the current lack of progress being made when it comes to nuclear disarmament.

Sunao Tsuboi, 87, chairman of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations, urged the president to take the lead in advancing nuclear disarmament in the world, saying, “Mr. Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, which is an indication of the fact that the world is wishing for the elimination of nuclear weapons. He should live up to people’s expectations.”

Four years ago, when President Obama was first voted into office, there was widespread anticipation that momentum would grow for nuclear abolition. “But he hasn’t pursued the sort of bold measures for nuclear disarmament that we had expected at the beginning of his presidency,” said Kazuo Okoshi, 72, secretary general of the other faction of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations, chaired by Kazushi Kaneko. Mr. Okoshi added, “The United States has not altered its reliance on nuclear weapons. I hope Mr. Obama will take bolder action in his second term.”

Kazu Sueishi, 85, president of the American Society of Hiroshima-Nagasaki A-Bomb Survivors and a resident of California, was exposed to the atomic bombing in Nishi Ward, Hiroshima, when she was 18. Sharing her wish, she said, “I hope he will one day visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki in order to help create a world without nuclear weapons, where everyone can live with a sense of security.”

Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui and Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki both called for Mr. Obama to visit Hiroshima.

Mr. Matsui also called for the president to step up efforts to understand people’s desire for peace and realize a world without nuclear weapons. Mr. Yuzaki commented, “I would like to see the United States make further moves, including ratifying the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and holding multilateral talks.”

Noriko Sado, 39, an associate professor at Hiroshima Shudo University and an expert on international security, said, “If President Obama steps back from his policy of nuclear disarmament, momentum toward nuclear abolition will quickly stall.” She added, “His ability to put forth specific measures in this area will be put to the test.”

(Originally published on November 8, 2012)

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