Hiroshima governor expresses hopes for Obama speech on nuclear abolition from A-bombed city
Apr. 27, 2016
At a press conference on April 26, Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki expressed his hopes that U.S. President Barack Obama will visit Hiroshima and deliver a speech from the A-bombed city. The governor said that he would like the president to send a message of hope to the world which would encourage all nations to take positive steps toward the abolition of nuclear weapons from the earth.
Referring to Mr. Obama’s speech in Prague, made in April 2009, in which he advocated “a world without nuclear weapons,” Mr. Yuzaki said, “Despite the significant impact of this speech, initially, momentum for the nuclear abolition had waned. However, there is now new momentum as a result of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, held in Hiroshima in April.” He added that a speech by Mr. Obama in Hiroshima would fuel this momentum further for the goal of realizing a nuclear-free world.
About the issue of apologizing for the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Mr. Yuzaki said, “The most important thing is that nuclear weapons never be used again. Although A-bomb survivors have conflicted feelings about the atomic bombing, many of them genuinely hope that the president will visit Hiroshima to help advance the abolition of nuclear weapons, apart from the question of an apology.” The governor said that he was not seeking an apology from Mr. Obama, and expressed hope that the president would meet and talk with A-bomb survivors.
Meanwhile, Yamaguchi Governor Tsugumasa Muraoka said in an interview with the press on April 26: “Mr. Obama’s visit to Hiroshima would be a significant step toward a nuclear-free world and lasting world peace. I hope his visit will be realized.” As a result of his experience as the head of Hiroshima City’s financial division for about three years from 2002, Mr. Muraoka said, “The citizens of Hiroshima have long hoped that the president of the United States would visit Hiroshima. I would like President Obama to send a strong message to the whole world which advocates a world without nuclear weapons.”
(Originally published on April 27, 2016)
Referring to Mr. Obama’s speech in Prague, made in April 2009, in which he advocated “a world without nuclear weapons,” Mr. Yuzaki said, “Despite the significant impact of this speech, initially, momentum for the nuclear abolition had waned. However, there is now new momentum as a result of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, held in Hiroshima in April.” He added that a speech by Mr. Obama in Hiroshima would fuel this momentum further for the goal of realizing a nuclear-free world.
About the issue of apologizing for the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Mr. Yuzaki said, “The most important thing is that nuclear weapons never be used again. Although A-bomb survivors have conflicted feelings about the atomic bombing, many of them genuinely hope that the president will visit Hiroshima to help advance the abolition of nuclear weapons, apart from the question of an apology.” The governor said that he was not seeking an apology from Mr. Obama, and expressed hope that the president would meet and talk with A-bomb survivors.
Meanwhile, Yamaguchi Governor Tsugumasa Muraoka said in an interview with the press on April 26: “Mr. Obama’s visit to Hiroshima would be a significant step toward a nuclear-free world and lasting world peace. I hope his visit will be realized.” As a result of his experience as the head of Hiroshima City’s financial division for about three years from 2002, Mr. Muraoka said, “The citizens of Hiroshima have long hoped that the president of the United States would visit Hiroshima. I would like President Obama to send a strong message to the whole world which advocates a world without nuclear weapons.”
(Originally published on April 27, 2016)
