Hiroshima leaders request that Japanese government tap Hiroshima as site of foreign ministers’ meeting
Jun. 23, 2015
by Jumpei Fujimura, Staff Writer
On May 18, the Hiroshima summit bidding promotion council, comprised of Hiroshima Prefecture, the City of Hiroshima, and the Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI), requested that the Japanese government hold a meeting of foreign ministers in Hiroshima prior to the Ise-Shima summit next year. The council also called on the world leaders participating in the summit, including U.S. President Barack Obama, to visit Hiroshima.
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, who serves as chairman of the council, Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki, and HCCI Chairman Hideki Fukayama met Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida (elected from district one in Hiroshima) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They handed letters of request to both Mr. Kishida and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Mr. Kishida responded by saying “I will share the wishes of the people of Hiroshima with government officials.”
Concerning the significance of holding the meeting in Hiroshima, the letters of request mention that, if global leaders see the reality of the atomic bombing, they will surely appreciate that nuclear weapons are an absolute evil. Citing Hiroshima as a city that has recovered from the devastation of war and demonstrated that “peace itself brings about growth, prosperity, and happiness,” the three Hiroshima leaders insisted that Hiroshima is the most suitable venue for the foreign ministers’ meeting. They are apparently focusing on the city’s recovery after the bombing because they have weighed the possibility that such nuclear powers as the United States, the United Kingdom, and France may hesitate to visit Hiroshima.
After the meeting with Mr. Kishida, Mr. Matsui said that “The foreign minister appreciated that local entities have come together to make this request.” Mr. Yuzaki said, “I hope that our desire will be considered and that Hiroshima will be selected as the venue for the meeting.” Mr. Fukayama stressed the positive response they received from Mr. Kishida.
(Originally published on June 19, 2015)
On May 18, the Hiroshima summit bidding promotion council, comprised of Hiroshima Prefecture, the City of Hiroshima, and the Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI), requested that the Japanese government hold a meeting of foreign ministers in Hiroshima prior to the Ise-Shima summit next year. The council also called on the world leaders participating in the summit, including U.S. President Barack Obama, to visit Hiroshima.
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, who serves as chairman of the council, Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki, and HCCI Chairman Hideki Fukayama met Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida (elected from district one in Hiroshima) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They handed letters of request to both Mr. Kishida and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Mr. Kishida responded by saying “I will share the wishes of the people of Hiroshima with government officials.”
Concerning the significance of holding the meeting in Hiroshima, the letters of request mention that, if global leaders see the reality of the atomic bombing, they will surely appreciate that nuclear weapons are an absolute evil. Citing Hiroshima as a city that has recovered from the devastation of war and demonstrated that “peace itself brings about growth, prosperity, and happiness,” the three Hiroshima leaders insisted that Hiroshima is the most suitable venue for the foreign ministers’ meeting. They are apparently focusing on the city’s recovery after the bombing because they have weighed the possibility that such nuclear powers as the United States, the United Kingdom, and France may hesitate to visit Hiroshima.
After the meeting with Mr. Kishida, Mr. Matsui said that “The foreign minister appreciated that local entities have come together to make this request.” Mr. Yuzaki said, “I hope that our desire will be considered and that Hiroshima will be selected as the venue for the meeting.” Mr. Fukayama stressed the positive response they received from Mr. Kishida.
(Originally published on June 19, 2015)
