Japanese foreign minister visits U.S. and Cuba, but skirts call for nuclear weapons convention
May 15, 2015
by Jumpei Fujimura, Staff Writer
HAVANA--Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida’s travels to the United States and Cuba have delivered some results for diplomatic efforts to advance the abolition of nuclear weapons. However, toeing the Japanese government’s conventional line on nuclear arms, Mr. Kishida still kept his distance from the idea of starting negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention and has presented no clear path for realizing a world free of nuclear arms. Since Mr. Kishida, as a foreign minister from a constituency in Hiroshima, can attract global attention, A-bomb survivors and nations eager to eliminate nuclear weapons feel he is treading too warily.
Mr. Kishida attended the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), now continuing in New York, marking the first time in 10 years that a Japanese foreign minister has taken part. He was the first speaker in the general debate that was held on the opening day, April 27. In his eleven-minute speech, Mr. Kishida used the word “Hiroshima” seven times, drawing the audience’s attention to the A-bombed city. At first, there was bustling in the hall, because the general debate had just begun, but his speech gradually quieted the crowd. He showed presence as a politician from Hiroshima.
However, the message of his speech didn’t deviate from the Japanese government’s repeated insistence on “realistic proposals” for nuclear disarmament, including the transparency of nuclear arsenals. It also seemed deferential to the United States, the nuclear super power which shields Japan with its “nuclear umbrella.” A-bomb survivors and members of NGOs (non-governmental organizations) who heard Mr. Kishida’s speech expressed disappointment.
Mr. Kishida also joined the U.S.-Japan summit which took place at the White House on April 28. A joint statement on the NPT, which was issued at the beginning of the summit, said, “In this 70th year since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we are reminded of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons use.” It also described the significance of Hiroshima and Nagasaki’s existence as A-bombed cities, stating, “Hiroshima and Nagasaki will be forever engraved in the world’s memory.” An official from the Foreign Ministry said, “Both Japan and the United States are putting emphasis on the 70th anniversary year of the atomic bombings. In addition, Mr. Kishida’s presence made both nations more strongly aware of the A-bombed locations.”
When Mr. Kishida traveled to Cuba, the first-ever visit by a Japanese foreign minister, he met with Fidel Castro, 88, the revolutionary leader and former president of Cuba. With Mr. Castro growing older, the historic figure has been drawing media attention internationally. Mr. Castro’s unusual meeting with the Japanese foreign minister, elected from Hiroshima, offered a valuable opportunity to throw a spotlight on the abolition of nuclear arms.
Meanwhile, on May 2, Bruno Rodriguez Parilla, the Cuban minister of foreign affairs, also met with Mr. Kishida. Mr. Rodriguez praised Japan for its efforts to advance nuclear disarmament, saying, “We highly appreciate Japan’s proactive contribution.” But he also pointed out, “Substantive debate on this issue is essential.” Cuba is a central member of the non-aligned countries which are calling for a start to negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention. Mr. Rodriguez was apparently referring to the importance of this legal framework.
Responding to this comment, Mr. Kishida only asked that Cuba support the realistic approach advocated by some nations, including Japan, at the NPT Review Conference. Although Japan’s proposal could offer concrete measures for nuclear disarmament, it doesn’t clearly present a path that leads to eliminating nuclear weapons. Cuba’s comment exposed the fact that Japan, despite its identity as the only A-bombed nation, is a weak leader in the quest to abolish nuclear arms.
(Originally published on May 4, 2015)
HAVANA--Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida’s travels to the United States and Cuba have delivered some results for diplomatic efforts to advance the abolition of nuclear weapons. However, toeing the Japanese government’s conventional line on nuclear arms, Mr. Kishida still kept his distance from the idea of starting negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention and has presented no clear path for realizing a world free of nuclear arms. Since Mr. Kishida, as a foreign minister from a constituency in Hiroshima, can attract global attention, A-bomb survivors and nations eager to eliminate nuclear weapons feel he is treading too warily.
Mr. Kishida attended the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), now continuing in New York, marking the first time in 10 years that a Japanese foreign minister has taken part. He was the first speaker in the general debate that was held on the opening day, April 27. In his eleven-minute speech, Mr. Kishida used the word “Hiroshima” seven times, drawing the audience’s attention to the A-bombed city. At first, there was bustling in the hall, because the general debate had just begun, but his speech gradually quieted the crowd. He showed presence as a politician from Hiroshima.
However, the message of his speech didn’t deviate from the Japanese government’s repeated insistence on “realistic proposals” for nuclear disarmament, including the transparency of nuclear arsenals. It also seemed deferential to the United States, the nuclear super power which shields Japan with its “nuclear umbrella.” A-bomb survivors and members of NGOs (non-governmental organizations) who heard Mr. Kishida’s speech expressed disappointment.
Mr. Kishida also joined the U.S.-Japan summit which took place at the White House on April 28. A joint statement on the NPT, which was issued at the beginning of the summit, said, “In this 70th year since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we are reminded of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons use.” It also described the significance of Hiroshima and Nagasaki’s existence as A-bombed cities, stating, “Hiroshima and Nagasaki will be forever engraved in the world’s memory.” An official from the Foreign Ministry said, “Both Japan and the United States are putting emphasis on the 70th anniversary year of the atomic bombings. In addition, Mr. Kishida’s presence made both nations more strongly aware of the A-bombed locations.”
When Mr. Kishida traveled to Cuba, the first-ever visit by a Japanese foreign minister, he met with Fidel Castro, 88, the revolutionary leader and former president of Cuba. With Mr. Castro growing older, the historic figure has been drawing media attention internationally. Mr. Castro’s unusual meeting with the Japanese foreign minister, elected from Hiroshima, offered a valuable opportunity to throw a spotlight on the abolition of nuclear arms.
Meanwhile, on May 2, Bruno Rodriguez Parilla, the Cuban minister of foreign affairs, also met with Mr. Kishida. Mr. Rodriguez praised Japan for its efforts to advance nuclear disarmament, saying, “We highly appreciate Japan’s proactive contribution.” But he also pointed out, “Substantive debate on this issue is essential.” Cuba is a central member of the non-aligned countries which are calling for a start to negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention. Mr. Rodriguez was apparently referring to the importance of this legal framework.
Responding to this comment, Mr. Kishida only asked that Cuba support the realistic approach advocated by some nations, including Japan, at the NPT Review Conference. Although Japan’s proposal could offer concrete measures for nuclear disarmament, it doesn’t clearly present a path that leads to eliminating nuclear weapons. Cuba’s comment exposed the fact that Japan, despite its identity as the only A-bombed nation, is a weak leader in the quest to abolish nuclear arms.
(Originally published on May 4, 2015)
