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Hiroshima, Nagasaki mayors meet with U.S. ambassador, call for visit by President Obama

by Kohei Okata, Staff Writer

On November 14, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui and Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue met John Roos, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, and called for U.S. President Barack Obama to visit the A-bombed cities. They came away with a positive impression regarding Mr. Obama’s possible visit to the cities during his presidency.

During the closed-door meeting, Mr. Matsui read out the letter of request in English to the effect that “President Obama will be extended a cordial welcome. We would like him to listen to survivors’ accounts, understand the consequences of the bombings, and express his firm resolve for advancing nuclear abolition to the world.” Mr. Taue asked that Mr. Obama meet young people who are making efforts toward the elimination of nuclear weapons.

Mr. Roos replied that he is not in a position to say if or when Mr. Obama will visit the cities, but he said that he understands the request and will certainly convey the message to the president.

After the meeting, Mr. Matsui said, “Ambassador Roos certainly understands our wishes. The tone of the meeting was very friendly, and I had a positive impression.”

(Originally published on November 15, 2012)

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