National A-bomb survivors’ group discusses plans for 70th anniversary of atomic bombings
Oct. 15, 2013
by Jumpei Fujimura, Staff Writer
On October 8, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) opened a two-day meeting in Tokyo with representatives from each prefecture. The participants began by sharing their ideas for efforts to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings, to be marked in 2015, as well as the situation involving the review of the A-bomb disease certification system.
About 80 A-bomb survivors and second-generation A-bomb survivors from across the nation are taking part in the gathering. Mikiso Iwasa, the executive director of Nihon Hidankyo, stressed the importance of activities in which A-bomb survivors convey their experiences to younger generations, saying in his address, “Despite the advancing age of the A-bomb survivors, we should do our best to leave behind evidence of our lives.”
In terms of undertakings for the 70th year since the atomic bombings, the participants confirmed that they will continue to discuss the possibility of holding an A-bomb exhibition at United Nations headquarters in New York, where the Review Conference for the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) will be held in 2015, and dispatching a delegation to this event.
They also made the decision to hold symposiums and dialogues with experts to examine the stance of the Japanese government, which continues to rely on the U.S. nuclear umbrella for the nation’s security. There was agreement on other projects, too, including a renewal of the group’s website.
Regarding the review of the A-bomb disease certification system, the committee formed by the Japanese government to look at this issue will compile its final report by the end of the year. At the Hidankyo meeting, Terumi Tanaka, the secretary-general of the organization and a member of the government’s committee, reported on the committee’s discussions. Voices at the gathering said that the outcome must suit the actual conditions of A-bomb survivors and that the group should be proactive in pressing the government to reach a satisfactory decision.
The agenda for October 9 includes a special report on the efforts being made in Germany to eliminate the use of nuclear energy there.
(Originally published on October 9, 2013)
On October 8, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) opened a two-day meeting in Tokyo with representatives from each prefecture. The participants began by sharing their ideas for efforts to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings, to be marked in 2015, as well as the situation involving the review of the A-bomb disease certification system.
About 80 A-bomb survivors and second-generation A-bomb survivors from across the nation are taking part in the gathering. Mikiso Iwasa, the executive director of Nihon Hidankyo, stressed the importance of activities in which A-bomb survivors convey their experiences to younger generations, saying in his address, “Despite the advancing age of the A-bomb survivors, we should do our best to leave behind evidence of our lives.”
In terms of undertakings for the 70th year since the atomic bombings, the participants confirmed that they will continue to discuss the possibility of holding an A-bomb exhibition at United Nations headquarters in New York, where the Review Conference for the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) will be held in 2015, and dispatching a delegation to this event.
They also made the decision to hold symposiums and dialogues with experts to examine the stance of the Japanese government, which continues to rely on the U.S. nuclear umbrella for the nation’s security. There was agreement on other projects, too, including a renewal of the group’s website.
Regarding the review of the A-bomb disease certification system, the committee formed by the Japanese government to look at this issue will compile its final report by the end of the year. At the Hidankyo meeting, Terumi Tanaka, the secretary-general of the organization and a member of the government’s committee, reported on the committee’s discussions. Voices at the gathering said that the outcome must suit the actual conditions of A-bomb survivors and that the group should be proactive in pressing the government to reach a satisfactory decision.
The agenda for October 9 includes a special report on the efforts being made in Germany to eliminate the use of nuclear energy there.
(Originally published on October 9, 2013)
