Nuclear abolition conferences open in Nagasaki
Aug. 8, 2013
by Jumpei Fujimura, Staff Writer
Parallel nuclear abolition conferences, both termed the World Conference Against A & H Bombs, opened in Nagasaki on August 7. One world conference is organized mainly by the Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo), while the other is being held by the Japan Congress Against A- and H- Bombs (Gensuikin) and its affiliated organizations. At both gatherings, the participants will discuss such themes as strategies to advance nuclear abolition by focusing on the inhumanity of nuclear weapons. The conferences will close on August 9, the anniversary of the Nagasaki A-bombing.
According to the organizer, about 6,500 people attended the opening plenary session of Gensuikyo’s World Conference-Nagasaki held at the Nagasaki Shimin Kaikan Gymnasium. Sumiteru Taniguchi, co-chair of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organization, said, “I hope the increasing attention on the inhumanity of nuclear weapons will grow into a great groundswell for the conclusion of a nuclear weapons convention.”
About 1,600 people attended the opening plenary session of Gensuikin’s Nagasaki conference held at the Nagasaki Brick Hall, reported the organizer. High school peace ambassadors, who have been appointed by the Japanese government to serve as the first “Youth Special Communicators for a World without Nuclear Weapons,” took the platform, too. Akane Matsuoka, 16, a second-year student at Hiroshima Prefectural Hiroshima Senior High School, pledged, “We will hand down the reality of the atomic bombing to the next generation.”
Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue made appearances at both conferences. He stressed the importance of believing in “the power of civil society” to realize the abolition of nuclear arms. He called for making continuous efforts, such as holding A-bomb exhibitions in various locations.
Both conferences will hold workshops and forums on August 8.
(Originally published on August 8, 2013)
Parallel nuclear abolition conferences, both termed the World Conference Against A & H Bombs, opened in Nagasaki on August 7. One world conference is organized mainly by the Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo), while the other is being held by the Japan Congress Against A- and H- Bombs (Gensuikin) and its affiliated organizations. At both gatherings, the participants will discuss such themes as strategies to advance nuclear abolition by focusing on the inhumanity of nuclear weapons. The conferences will close on August 9, the anniversary of the Nagasaki A-bombing.
According to the organizer, about 6,500 people attended the opening plenary session of Gensuikyo’s World Conference-Nagasaki held at the Nagasaki Shimin Kaikan Gymnasium. Sumiteru Taniguchi, co-chair of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organization, said, “I hope the increasing attention on the inhumanity of nuclear weapons will grow into a great groundswell for the conclusion of a nuclear weapons convention.”
About 1,600 people attended the opening plenary session of Gensuikin’s Nagasaki conference held at the Nagasaki Brick Hall, reported the organizer. High school peace ambassadors, who have been appointed by the Japanese government to serve as the first “Youth Special Communicators for a World without Nuclear Weapons,” took the platform, too. Akane Matsuoka, 16, a second-year student at Hiroshima Prefectural Hiroshima Senior High School, pledged, “We will hand down the reality of the atomic bombing to the next generation.”
Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue made appearances at both conferences. He stressed the importance of believing in “the power of civil society” to realize the abolition of nuclear arms. He called for making continuous efforts, such as holding A-bomb exhibitions in various locations.
Both conferences will hold workshops and forums on August 8.
(Originally published on August 8, 2013)
