Bikini Day gathering opens in Japan, seeks turning point in nuclear abolition
Mar. 5, 2015
by Jumpei Fujimura, Staff Writer
A national gathering of the Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo) opened in the city of Shizuoka on February 27. On March 1, 61 years ago, crew members of a fishing boat from Yaizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, called the Daigo Fukuryu Maru (The Lucky Dragon No. 5) were exposed to radioactive fallout from a hydrogen bomb test conducted by the United States. On the first day of the two-day gathering, an international exchange conference was held. With this year marking the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings, the participants discussed ways to make the year a turning point in ridding the world of nuclear weapons.
Guests from three countries were invited to the conference. Joseph Gerson, 68, of the American Friends Service Committee stressed the importance of the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), which is scheduled to open in New York in late April. He stated that if civil society clearly expresses its support for a world without nuclear weapons, more countries will become involved in this movement.
Lee Mihyeon, 35, of People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, a South Korean non-governmental organization, described the anxiety in South Korea over nuclear testing by North Korea. She said, “The U.S. nuclear umbrella can actually increase the risk of nuclear attacks,” and urged that Japan and South Korea lead efforts to make Northeast Asia a nuclear-weapon-free zone.
Peter Anjain, 42, is from Rongelap Atoll in the Marshall Islands, where 86 residents were exposed to radioactive fallout from the U.S. hydrogen bomb test. He said that there were many cases of cancers and abnormal pregnancies following the test. He also told listeners how the residents were forced to leave their homeland and endure lives of suffering. Mr. Anjain said that the contaminated land and lost culture cannot be restored to its original condition but efforts can be made so that no other people will have to suffer the inhumane consequences of nuclear weapons.
The plenary and working sessions will be held on February 28 in Yaizu and other locations.
(Originally published on February 28, 2015)
A national gathering of the Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo) opened in the city of Shizuoka on February 27. On March 1, 61 years ago, crew members of a fishing boat from Yaizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, called the Daigo Fukuryu Maru (The Lucky Dragon No. 5) were exposed to radioactive fallout from a hydrogen bomb test conducted by the United States. On the first day of the two-day gathering, an international exchange conference was held. With this year marking the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings, the participants discussed ways to make the year a turning point in ridding the world of nuclear weapons.
Guests from three countries were invited to the conference. Joseph Gerson, 68, of the American Friends Service Committee stressed the importance of the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), which is scheduled to open in New York in late April. He stated that if civil society clearly expresses its support for a world without nuclear weapons, more countries will become involved in this movement.
Lee Mihyeon, 35, of People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, a South Korean non-governmental organization, described the anxiety in South Korea over nuclear testing by North Korea. She said, “The U.S. nuclear umbrella can actually increase the risk of nuclear attacks,” and urged that Japan and South Korea lead efforts to make Northeast Asia a nuclear-weapon-free zone.
Peter Anjain, 42, is from Rongelap Atoll in the Marshall Islands, where 86 residents were exposed to radioactive fallout from the U.S. hydrogen bomb test. He said that there were many cases of cancers and abnormal pregnancies following the test. He also told listeners how the residents were forced to leave their homeland and endure lives of suffering. Mr. Anjain said that the contaminated land and lost culture cannot be restored to its original condition but efforts can be made so that no other people will have to suffer the inhumane consequences of nuclear weapons.
The plenary and working sessions will be held on February 28 in Yaizu and other locations.
(Originally published on February 28, 2015)
