The Hiroshima Meeting of the 59th Memorial World Congress against A- and H-bombs held by Gensuikin and the Hiroshima Meeting of the 2004 World Council against A- and H-bombs held by Nihon Gensuikyo held closing plenary meetings in Naka-ku, Hiroshima on the 6th, wrapping up three-day conferences.

About 650 people attended the final meeting of Gensuikin held at the Prefectural Cultural Center. Photojournalist Naomi Toyoda (48), who has continuously covered the Iraq War, described the situation on the ground there and criticized Japan for supporting the war. His appeal said, "We must not create any more war victims."

The Hiroshima Meeting, which started on the 4th, ended with a report on the issues discussed and adoption of a Hiroshima Appeal that calls for changes in US nuclear policy, peaceful resolution of the nuclear problem in North Korea, and improved relief for the hibakusha, while strongly opposing any change in the peace constitution.

Approximately 7,800 people attended the Gensuikyo closing plenary held in the Hiroshima Prefectural Sports Center. Judge Christopher G. Weeramanntory, former vice president of the International Court of Justice, warned, "If the human race does not abolish nuclear weapons, nuclear weapons will destroy it."

Peace activists from the US, South Korea, and Great Britain asserted the enormous significance of Article 9 of Japan's Constitution, which stipulates Japan's renunciation of war. They also criticized the US and Great Britain for the Iraq War. The final order of business was to adopt a Hiroshima Resolution demanding, among other things, that the Japanese government abide strictly by the Three Non-Nuclear Principles.

(Caption)The wrap-up session of Gensuikin's World Congress Hiroshima Meeting, which adopted an appeal demanding the abolition of nuclear weapons