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G7 foreign ministers visit Hiroshima, offer flowers at Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims

by Kohei Okata and Yumi Kanazaki, Staff Writers

On April 11, foreign ministers from seven nations and the European Union (EU), taking part in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Hiroshima ahead of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit (Ise Shima Summit), visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Naka Ward and offered flowers at the Cenotaph for the Atomic Bomb Victims. This marks the first time that foreign ministers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, all nuclear weapon states, have visited Hiroshima. The meeting concluded its two-day schedule with Fumio Kishida, the foreign minister of Japan who served as chairperson of the meeting, announcing the “Hiroshima Declaration,” a statement seeking to create greater momentum for “a world without nuclear weapons.”

The focus from here is on whether U.S. President Barack Obama, who has advocated a world that is free of nuclear weapons, will pay a visit to the A-bombed city of Hiroshima in conjunction with the Ise Shima Summit in May. In the Hiroshima Declaration, language related to the “inhumanity” of nuclear arms, which the Japanese government itself has been stressing, was not included due to resistance from the nuclear weapon states.

The media was not permitted to follow the foreign ministers on their tour of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. According to the foreign ministry and other sources, Mr. Kishida offered explanations about the exhibits as the other participants studied the artifacts.

After visiting the museum, the group moved down the park’s main walkway to the Cenotaph for the Atomic Bomb Victims, which contains registers with the names of 297,684 people who have died of their A-bomb-related experience, as of August 5, 2015. The eight participants then stood in a line to offer wreaths of flowers. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry lowered his eyes and made a silent prayer while Mr. Kishida, by his side, bowed toward the memorial. After this offering, they walked on to the Atomic Bomb Dome, a World Heritage site, which had not been part of their itinerary. Their schedule did not include hearing the account of an A-bomb survivor.

A focal point of the Hiroshima Declaration was the description of the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons. The statement says: “The people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki experienced immense devastation and human suffering as a consequence of the atomic bombings.” It goes on to express the hope that political leaders and others will visit the A-bombed cities.

The declaration also stresses, however, that further progress toward “a world without nuclear weapons” can only be achieved by taking “a realistic and incremental approach.” It appeals for dialogue between the nuclear powers and non-nuclear nations and urges greater transparency in nuclear arsenals, with China and Russia also in mind.

After the meeting concluded, Mr. Kishida held a press conference in Naka Ward and said that the participants were able to touch the true consequences of the atomic bombing and this, along with the Hiroshima Declaration, has enabled the international community to make a historic step toward creating greater momentum for abolishing nuclear weapons.

In addition to the declaration, three other statements were drafted. The chairman’s statement condemns the violence and atrocities perpetrated by terrorist groups, including the militant group known as the Islamic State. It advocates adopting concrete methods of combating terrorism when world leaders meet at the Ise Shima Summit.

The statement also condemns North Korea’s nuclear and missile development program and urges that nation to address the issue of Japanese abductees.

In the foreign ministers’ statement on maritime security, with China’s military moves in the South China Sea in mind, criticism was laid at “any intimidating, coercive or provocative unilateral actions that could alter the status quo and increase tensions.” It demands peaceful solutions to conflicts based on international law.

The meeting opened at noon on April 10. The German foreign minister, due to troubles involving his private plane, arrived in Hiroshima that evening.

(Originally published on April 12, 2016)

Highlights of the Hiroshima Declaration

*Hiroshima and Nagasaki experienced immense devastation and human suffering as a consequence of the atomic bombing.

*Creating the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons in a way that promotes international stability.

*Demands for enhanced transparency in nuclear weapons. Urges all states to work on initiatives that can promote meaningful dialogue on nuclear disarmament.

*Political leaders have come to Hiroshima and Nagasaki and been deeply moved. We hope others follow that path.

*We share the deep desire of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that nuclear weapons never be used again.

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