Symposium participants express support for nuclear weapons ban
Nov. 1, 2012
by Kohei Okata, Staff Writer
In conjunction with the United Nations’ Disarmament Week (October 24 to 30), a symposium exploring a roadmap for “a world without nuclear weapons” was held at Meiji Gakuin University, in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on October 28. One after another, the participants voiced support for a statement, backed by 35 nations of the U.N. General Assembly, which underscores the inhumanity of nuclear arms and calls for these weapons to be made illegal under international law.
Discussion was held among the representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Masao Tomonaga, chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Nagasaki Global Citizens’ Assembly for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, welcomed a trend taking place in the international community, saying, “The path to eliminating nuclear weapons is now focused on directly stressing their inhumane nature.”
At the same time, the Japanese government has declined to sign the anti-nuclear statement, citing the inconsistency between the statement’s goal of a nuclear weapons ban and the government’s security policy, which relies on the U.S. nuclear umbrella. In this regard, Akira Kawasaki, executive committee member of Peace Boat, a Tokyo-based NGO, said, “I don’t believe the Japanese government consulted with the United States on this matter.” Added Mr. Kawasaki, who had visited the U.N. General Assembly, “The problem is that the central figures of our government think that Japan mustn’t sign the statement.”
The symposium was jointly organized by Nuclear Abolition Japan and the Meiji Gakuin University International Peace Research Institute. About 80 people were in attendance.
(Originally published on October 29, 2012)
In conjunction with the United Nations’ Disarmament Week (October 24 to 30), a symposium exploring a roadmap for “a world without nuclear weapons” was held at Meiji Gakuin University, in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on October 28. One after another, the participants voiced support for a statement, backed by 35 nations of the U.N. General Assembly, which underscores the inhumanity of nuclear arms and calls for these weapons to be made illegal under international law.
Discussion was held among the representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Masao Tomonaga, chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Nagasaki Global Citizens’ Assembly for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, welcomed a trend taking place in the international community, saying, “The path to eliminating nuclear weapons is now focused on directly stressing their inhumane nature.”
At the same time, the Japanese government has declined to sign the anti-nuclear statement, citing the inconsistency between the statement’s goal of a nuclear weapons ban and the government’s security policy, which relies on the U.S. nuclear umbrella. In this regard, Akira Kawasaki, executive committee member of Peace Boat, a Tokyo-based NGO, said, “I don’t believe the Japanese government consulted with the United States on this matter.” Added Mr. Kawasaki, who had visited the U.N. General Assembly, “The problem is that the central figures of our government think that Japan mustn’t sign the statement.”
The symposium was jointly organized by Nuclear Abolition Japan and the Meiji Gakuin University International Peace Research Institute. About 80 people were in attendance.
(Originally published on October 29, 2012)
