Junior writers covering NPT Review Conference report from New York via video chat
May 13, 2015
by Yuji Yamamoto, Staff Writer
Two junior writers from the Chugoku Shimbun, who have traveled to New York to cover the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), a gathering held every five years at United Nations headquarters, relayed the details of the conference and related events, and their personal thoughts and feelings, to other junior writers who are following the conference from Hiroshima. The teen reporters, communicating via video chat over the Internet, reaffirmed the role of youth in advancing toward a world without nuclear weapons and war.
The two junior writers now in New York are Shiori Niitani, 16, a second-year high school student, and Nozomi Mizoue, 15, a first-year high school student. Since April 26, they have reported on activities in the city, including a march led by atomic bomb survivors and peace activists and an address made by Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida at the Review Conference. In addition to interviewing Mr. Kishida and delivering their own speech at a youth forum organized by Mayors for Peace, they also posed questions at a panel discussion held by Hiroshima Prefecture about the roles of Japan, the only A-bombed nation, and young people in realizing a world free of nuclear arms. The two high school students have displayed enthusiasm and energy as they pursue their objectives.
The junior writers spoke via video chat for an hour and a half. Ms. Niitani acknowledged some disappointment as she observed the Review Conference, saying, “Although speeches were made one after the other, there were too many empty seats. I was concerned about whether the conference participants are serious in their discussions.” Regarding the presentation they made at the youth forum, where they shared the junior writers’ activities, she reflected, “I was really nervous for two days before our presentation, but I practiced hard and I was able to convey my thoughts.”
Asked about pressing Mr. Kishida with the question “Is it contradictory that Japan remains under the U.S. nuclear umbrella?” Ms. Mizoue replied, “I was shocked when Mr. Kishida acknowledged that this is the reality. Japan, as the only A-bombed nation, should be leading the world in abolishing nuclear weapons.”
The two junior writers also talked about exchanging views with local university students. The pair were surprised at the fact that these American students are serious about learning the history of the atomic bombings and facing nuclear issues, including nuclear abolition, though their own country possesses nuclear weapons. They expressed a sense of hope that there are many young people in the United States who wish to abolish nuclear weapons, too.
In Hiroshima, four students, from the second year of junior high school to the third year of high school, took part in the video chat. Shino Tanuguchi, 16, a second-year high school student, said, “Though our governments are dragging their feet, the people of Japan and the United States share the same desire to abolish nuclear weapons. I want to do even more as a junior writer to help realize this goal.”
(Originally published on May 4, 2015)
Two junior writers from the Chugoku Shimbun, who have traveled to New York to cover the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), a gathering held every five years at United Nations headquarters, relayed the details of the conference and related events, and their personal thoughts and feelings, to other junior writers who are following the conference from Hiroshima. The teen reporters, communicating via video chat over the Internet, reaffirmed the role of youth in advancing toward a world without nuclear weapons and war.
The two junior writers now in New York are Shiori Niitani, 16, a second-year high school student, and Nozomi Mizoue, 15, a first-year high school student. Since April 26, they have reported on activities in the city, including a march led by atomic bomb survivors and peace activists and an address made by Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida at the Review Conference. In addition to interviewing Mr. Kishida and delivering their own speech at a youth forum organized by Mayors for Peace, they also posed questions at a panel discussion held by Hiroshima Prefecture about the roles of Japan, the only A-bombed nation, and young people in realizing a world free of nuclear arms. The two high school students have displayed enthusiasm and energy as they pursue their objectives.
The junior writers spoke via video chat for an hour and a half. Ms. Niitani acknowledged some disappointment as she observed the Review Conference, saying, “Although speeches were made one after the other, there were too many empty seats. I was concerned about whether the conference participants are serious in their discussions.” Regarding the presentation they made at the youth forum, where they shared the junior writers’ activities, she reflected, “I was really nervous for two days before our presentation, but I practiced hard and I was able to convey my thoughts.”
Asked about pressing Mr. Kishida with the question “Is it contradictory that Japan remains under the U.S. nuclear umbrella?” Ms. Mizoue replied, “I was shocked when Mr. Kishida acknowledged that this is the reality. Japan, as the only A-bombed nation, should be leading the world in abolishing nuclear weapons.”
The two junior writers also talked about exchanging views with local university students. The pair were surprised at the fact that these American students are serious about learning the history of the atomic bombings and facing nuclear issues, including nuclear abolition, though their own country possesses nuclear weapons. They expressed a sense of hope that there are many young people in the United States who wish to abolish nuclear weapons, too.
In Hiroshima, four students, from the second year of junior high school to the third year of high school, took part in the video chat. Shino Tanuguchi, 16, a second-year high school student, said, “Though our governments are dragging their feet, the people of Japan and the United States share the same desire to abolish nuclear weapons. I want to do even more as a junior writer to help realize this goal.”
(Originally published on May 4, 2015)
