Hiroshima governor, mayor hope new U.S. nuclear policy will advance nuclear abolition
Jul. 13, 2016
by Kyoji Matsumoto and Kohei Okata, Staff Writers
U.S. President Barack Obama is planning to introduce a new nuclear policy, according to U.S. media. Following this news, Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki and Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui expressed hopes for progress toward nuclear abolition in respective press conferences on July 12.
The Obama administration’s plans will reportedly include a no-first-use declaration, which limits the use of nuclear weapons to counterattacks against nuclear strikes, and the adoption of a U.N. Security Council resolution that bans nuclear tests.
Governor Yuzaki commented that the no-first-use declaration “will put strong pressure on other countries (that have not issued such a declaration)” and that he expects this development to contribute to international discussions. With Mr. Obama’s presidency ending in January 2017, Mr. Yuzaki added, “This is the time for his administration to solidify their efforts. If Mr. Obama pushes forward and implements this new policy, it can’t be easily overturned by the next administration.”
Mayor Matsui referred to the speech Mr. Obama delivered in Hiroshima in May, in which he called for the courage to pursue a world without nuclear arms. Mr. Matsui said the new policy is encouraging in that it shows Mr. Obama is serious about promoting this goal. He also said that, even if there is criticism in the United States that the new policy will weaken nuclear deterrence, Mr. Obama is seeking to implement an important policy that will stir debate.
(Originally published on July 13, 2016)
U.S. President Barack Obama is planning to introduce a new nuclear policy, according to U.S. media. Following this news, Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki and Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui expressed hopes for progress toward nuclear abolition in respective press conferences on July 12.
The Obama administration’s plans will reportedly include a no-first-use declaration, which limits the use of nuclear weapons to counterattacks against nuclear strikes, and the adoption of a U.N. Security Council resolution that bans nuclear tests.
Governor Yuzaki commented that the no-first-use declaration “will put strong pressure on other countries (that have not issued such a declaration)” and that he expects this development to contribute to international discussions. With Mr. Obama’s presidency ending in January 2017, Mr. Yuzaki added, “This is the time for his administration to solidify their efforts. If Mr. Obama pushes forward and implements this new policy, it can’t be easily overturned by the next administration.”
Mayor Matsui referred to the speech Mr. Obama delivered in Hiroshima in May, in which he called for the courage to pursue a world without nuclear arms. Mr. Matsui said the new policy is encouraging in that it shows Mr. Obama is serious about promoting this goal. He also said that, even if there is criticism in the United States that the new policy will weaken nuclear deterrence, Mr. Obama is seeking to implement an important policy that will stir debate.
(Originally published on July 13, 2016)
