Nuclear abolition conferences show divisions between anti-nuclear groups
Aug. 20, 2014
by Jumpei Fujimura, Staff Writer
Next year will bring the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing and the next Review Conference for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). With all eyes on these important events, dueling discussions took place at two world conferences in Hiroshima over efforts to realize a world without nuclear weapons. The Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo) focused on a nuclear weapons convention, while the Japan Congress against A- and H- Bombs (Gensuikin) emphasized breaking away from the use of nuclear energy, highlighting the different policies of the two groups.
The World Conference against A & H Bombs, organized by Gensuikyo, was linked with a signature drive seeking the start of negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention. The signatures will be submitted to the NPT Review Conference, which is held every five years. Representatives from 18 countries overseas also took part, and discussions in the forums and workshops focused mainly on the convention. Also stressed were the 4.1 million signatures the group has collected over the past three years.
Meanwhile, Gensuikin has been deepening its discussions on nuclear energy since the 2011 nuclear accident at the Fukushima No. 1 (Daiichi) nuclear power plant. It was pointed out that a large amount of plutonium held by Japan is worrying to neighboring nations and prompting fears that this could increase the risk of nuclear proliferation. Japan has been recycling nuclear fuel in line with national policy. The conference participants also demanded that Japan, as the only country to suffer nuclear attack, take stronger action on the world stage.
Both points of contention are crucial for bringing us closer to a nuclear-free world. Therefore, the two groups must explore possibilities in which they can complement one another’s efforts and create a synergistic effect. Instead, the two groups turn their backs to each other and are reluctant to communicate.
The hydrogen bomb test on Bikini Atoll in 1954 triggered a petition drive in support of banning atomic and hydrogen bombs. The first world conference was held the following year, and this year should have marked the commemorative 60th conference. Gensuikyo, whose philosophy is closer to that of the original group, made no mention of the group’s history. Gensuikin, which broke apart from the original group 10 years after it was formed, is planning to celebrate 50 years as a group next year.
Top members of both groups say, as if in chorus, that even though they are taking different paths, they are heading for the same destination. But can they afford to fracture their energy if they wish to create stronger momentum toward the distant goal of a world without nuclear weapons? Next year will be a commemorative year, but a crucial year as well. The two groups should be making efforts to take the first step toward mutual concessions. They should be giving more hope to the aging A-bomb survivors.
(Originally published on August 10, 2014)
Next year will bring the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing and the next Review Conference for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). With all eyes on these important events, dueling discussions took place at two world conferences in Hiroshima over efforts to realize a world without nuclear weapons. The Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo) focused on a nuclear weapons convention, while the Japan Congress against A- and H- Bombs (Gensuikin) emphasized breaking away from the use of nuclear energy, highlighting the different policies of the two groups.
The World Conference against A & H Bombs, organized by Gensuikyo, was linked with a signature drive seeking the start of negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention. The signatures will be submitted to the NPT Review Conference, which is held every five years. Representatives from 18 countries overseas also took part, and discussions in the forums and workshops focused mainly on the convention. Also stressed were the 4.1 million signatures the group has collected over the past three years.
Meanwhile, Gensuikin has been deepening its discussions on nuclear energy since the 2011 nuclear accident at the Fukushima No. 1 (Daiichi) nuclear power plant. It was pointed out that a large amount of plutonium held by Japan is worrying to neighboring nations and prompting fears that this could increase the risk of nuclear proliferation. Japan has been recycling nuclear fuel in line with national policy. The conference participants also demanded that Japan, as the only country to suffer nuclear attack, take stronger action on the world stage.
Both points of contention are crucial for bringing us closer to a nuclear-free world. Therefore, the two groups must explore possibilities in which they can complement one another’s efforts and create a synergistic effect. Instead, the two groups turn their backs to each other and are reluctant to communicate.
The hydrogen bomb test on Bikini Atoll in 1954 triggered a petition drive in support of banning atomic and hydrogen bombs. The first world conference was held the following year, and this year should have marked the commemorative 60th conference. Gensuikyo, whose philosophy is closer to that of the original group, made no mention of the group’s history. Gensuikin, which broke apart from the original group 10 years after it was formed, is planning to celebrate 50 years as a group next year.
Top members of both groups say, as if in chorus, that even though they are taking different paths, they are heading for the same destination. But can they afford to fracture their energy if they wish to create stronger momentum toward the distant goal of a world without nuclear weapons? Next year will be a commemorative year, but a crucial year as well. The two groups should be making efforts to take the first step toward mutual concessions. They should be giving more hope to the aging A-bomb survivors.
(Originally published on August 10, 2014)
