U.S. lawmakers visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, vow to work for nuclear arms reduction
Feb. 25, 2015
by Michiko Tanaka, Staff Writer
Nine U.S. lawmakers visited Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on February 20. They learned about the damage caused by the atomic bombing and vowed to make efforts for nuclear arms reduction.
The lawmakers are members of the Congressional Study Group on Japan, which numbers more than 60. After touring Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, they placed a wreath of flowers at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims and offered a silent prayer. At the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims, they listened to Keiko Ogura, 77, share her experience of the atomic bombing in English.
Later they met with Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui at Hiroshima City Hall. Mr. Matsui referred to the obligation to eliminate nuclear weapons, which is stipulated in the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. “Phased reductions of nuclear arsenals will lead to a nuclear weapons convention,” Mr. Matsui said. “Favorable conditions should be created to start negotiations for the convention.” He also expressed his hope that President Barack Obama will visit the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Diana DeGette, the Democratic House Co-Chair of the study group, said that they recognized anew the need to make efforts for peace. She also promised to convey the mayor’s thoughts to the White House.
(Originally published on February 21, 2015)
Nine U.S. lawmakers visited Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on February 20. They learned about the damage caused by the atomic bombing and vowed to make efforts for nuclear arms reduction.
The lawmakers are members of the Congressional Study Group on Japan, which numbers more than 60. After touring Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, they placed a wreath of flowers at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims and offered a silent prayer. At the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims, they listened to Keiko Ogura, 77, share her experience of the atomic bombing in English.
Later they met with Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui at Hiroshima City Hall. Mr. Matsui referred to the obligation to eliminate nuclear weapons, which is stipulated in the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. “Phased reductions of nuclear arsenals will lead to a nuclear weapons convention,” Mr. Matsui said. “Favorable conditions should be created to start negotiations for the convention.” He also expressed his hope that President Barack Obama will visit the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Diana DeGette, the Democratic House Co-Chair of the study group, said that they recognized anew the need to make efforts for peace. She also promised to convey the mayor’s thoughts to the White House.
(Originally published on February 21, 2015)
