Split in peace groups, over nuclear energy, leads to three separate rallies
Aug. 7, 2013
by Jumpei Fujimura and Kenichiro Nozaki, Staff Writers
On August 5, the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC) held the Peace Hiroshima Conference, a gathering to appeal for the elimination of nuclear weapons, at Ueno Gakuen Hall in downtown Hiroshima. Since 2005, 60 years after the atomic bombing, the Japan Congress Against A- and H-Bombs (Gensuikin) and the National Council for Peace and Against Nuclear Weapons (KAKKIN) have aligned themselves with the JTUC in sponsoring the conference. But following the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 (Daiichi) nuclear power plant, their differences over the use of nuclear energy have led to the three organizations now holding separate conferences.
About 2,000 people attended the Peace Hiroshima Conference. Hiroyuki Nagumo, JTUC’s general secretary, did not refer to the split but expressed his determination to pursue the cause of nuclear abolition. The proceedings of the conference were similar to the previous year and included a speech by a representative of an overseas trade union and the account of an A-bomb survivor. The most significant difference was the absence of speeches by representatives of Gensuikin or KAKKIN.
From the beginning, the policies of Gensuikin and KAKKIN toward nuclear energy have been polarized. Gensuikin calls for denuclearizing the nation’s energy sources. During last year’s conference, a representative of Gensuikin stated, “Nuclear power and human beings cannot co-exist,” a comment which triggered the split.
KAKKIN, whose membership includes the trade unions of electric power companies and manufacturers, did not wish to reject the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and told the JTUC that it would be difficult for the three organizations to continue co-sponsoring the conference.
The three groups discussed the matter, but Gensuikin stood firm in its opposition toward nuclear energy. Officially, both Gensuikin and KAKKIN have indicated that they “regret” the separation, but fence-mending will not be easy.
Koichi Kawano, the chairman of Gensuikin, implicitly criticized KAKKIN by saying, “There is no good use or bad use of nuclear energy,” at Gensuikin’s Hiroshima session of the World Conference Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs, which opened on August 4 at the Hiroshima Green Arena. The Hiroshima gathering held workshops on August 5.
Katsuyuki Shimada, chairman of KAKKIN’s Hiroshima prefectural division, said, “If we’re going to work together, we have to focus only on the elimination of nuclear weapons and supporting A-bomb survivors,” at its national gathering held on August 5 at a hotel in downtown Hiroshima. His comment was seen as a rebuff of Gensuikin’s position.
The JTUC will take this opportunity to seek a new framework for conducting the conference. At a press conference held before the gathering, Mr. Nagumo said, “We don’t intend to go back to having three groups sponsor the event. I hope to develop a new plan which will involve NPOs and NGOs.”
Commentary: Differences over nuclear energy lead to split in cooperative ties
by Jumpei Fujimura, Staff Writer
Despite their different positions on the use of nuclear energy, the Japan Congress Against A- and H-Bombs (Gensuikin) and the National Council for Peace and Against Nuclear Weapons (KAKKIN) have worked together for the shared aims of eliminating nuclear weapons and supporting A-bomb survivors. Their decision to end this collaboration can be explained by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s desire to resume operating the nation’s nuclear power plants and export its nuclear technology.
Some A-bomb survivors and members of peace activists’ groups have expressed regret over the lost “united front” which was born in 2005, the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing. They feel it is essential for the two groups to work out their differences and cooperate to advance a common cause. Some hope that the JTUC, which has been serving as mediator, will intercede.
Lately, Gensuikin’s call for eliminating nuclear energy has grown stronger. This is a consequence of the group’s opposition to the Abe administration’s policy of promoting nuclear power. Mr. Abe’s strategies for economic growth include utilizing nuclear power plants and promoting exports of nuclear technology.
KAKKIN, though, believes strongly in “promoting the peaceful use of nuclear power,” which lies at the core of their campaign. The gulf between the two groups now seems too wide to bridge.
Some A-bomb survivors and concerned parties look askance at the dispute, saying, “You can’t turn a blind eye to Fukushima and say ‘No More Hibakushas.’”
Two and a half years have passed since the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 (Daiichi) nuclear power plant. The nation’s nuclear policy shifted when a new administration rose to power at the end of last year. In the rupture between Gensuikin and KAKKIN lies the fundamental question as to whether or not there can be any use at all of the “flames of nuclear power.”
(Originally published on August 6, 2013)
On August 5, the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC) held the Peace Hiroshima Conference, a gathering to appeal for the elimination of nuclear weapons, at Ueno Gakuen Hall in downtown Hiroshima. Since 2005, 60 years after the atomic bombing, the Japan Congress Against A- and H-Bombs (Gensuikin) and the National Council for Peace and Against Nuclear Weapons (KAKKIN) have aligned themselves with the JTUC in sponsoring the conference. But following the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 (Daiichi) nuclear power plant, their differences over the use of nuclear energy have led to the three organizations now holding separate conferences.
About 2,000 people attended the Peace Hiroshima Conference. Hiroyuki Nagumo, JTUC’s general secretary, did not refer to the split but expressed his determination to pursue the cause of nuclear abolition. The proceedings of the conference were similar to the previous year and included a speech by a representative of an overseas trade union and the account of an A-bomb survivor. The most significant difference was the absence of speeches by representatives of Gensuikin or KAKKIN.
From the beginning, the policies of Gensuikin and KAKKIN toward nuclear energy have been polarized. Gensuikin calls for denuclearizing the nation’s energy sources. During last year’s conference, a representative of Gensuikin stated, “Nuclear power and human beings cannot co-exist,” a comment which triggered the split.
KAKKIN, whose membership includes the trade unions of electric power companies and manufacturers, did not wish to reject the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and told the JTUC that it would be difficult for the three organizations to continue co-sponsoring the conference.
The three groups discussed the matter, but Gensuikin stood firm in its opposition toward nuclear energy. Officially, both Gensuikin and KAKKIN have indicated that they “regret” the separation, but fence-mending will not be easy.
Koichi Kawano, the chairman of Gensuikin, implicitly criticized KAKKIN by saying, “There is no good use or bad use of nuclear energy,” at Gensuikin’s Hiroshima session of the World Conference Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs, which opened on August 4 at the Hiroshima Green Arena. The Hiroshima gathering held workshops on August 5.
Katsuyuki Shimada, chairman of KAKKIN’s Hiroshima prefectural division, said, “If we’re going to work together, we have to focus only on the elimination of nuclear weapons and supporting A-bomb survivors,” at its national gathering held on August 5 at a hotel in downtown Hiroshima. His comment was seen as a rebuff of Gensuikin’s position.
The JTUC will take this opportunity to seek a new framework for conducting the conference. At a press conference held before the gathering, Mr. Nagumo said, “We don’t intend to go back to having three groups sponsor the event. I hope to develop a new plan which will involve NPOs and NGOs.”
Commentary: Differences over nuclear energy lead to split in cooperative ties
by Jumpei Fujimura, Staff Writer
Despite their different positions on the use of nuclear energy, the Japan Congress Against A- and H-Bombs (Gensuikin) and the National Council for Peace and Against Nuclear Weapons (KAKKIN) have worked together for the shared aims of eliminating nuclear weapons and supporting A-bomb survivors. Their decision to end this collaboration can be explained by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s desire to resume operating the nation’s nuclear power plants and export its nuclear technology.
Some A-bomb survivors and members of peace activists’ groups have expressed regret over the lost “united front” which was born in 2005, the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing. They feel it is essential for the two groups to work out their differences and cooperate to advance a common cause. Some hope that the JTUC, which has been serving as mediator, will intercede.
Lately, Gensuikin’s call for eliminating nuclear energy has grown stronger. This is a consequence of the group’s opposition to the Abe administration’s policy of promoting nuclear power. Mr. Abe’s strategies for economic growth include utilizing nuclear power plants and promoting exports of nuclear technology.
KAKKIN, though, believes strongly in “promoting the peaceful use of nuclear power,” which lies at the core of their campaign. The gulf between the two groups now seems too wide to bridge.
Some A-bomb survivors and concerned parties look askance at the dispute, saying, “You can’t turn a blind eye to Fukushima and say ‘No More Hibakushas.’”
Two and a half years have passed since the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 (Daiichi) nuclear power plant. The nation’s nuclear policy shifted when a new administration rose to power at the end of last year. In the rupture between Gensuikin and KAKKIN lies the fundamental question as to whether or not there can be any use at all of the “flames of nuclear power.”
(Originally published on August 6, 2013)
