Hiroshima governor criticizes Japanese government for failing to back anti-nuclear statement
Nov. 7, 2012
by Kenichiro Nozaki, Staff Writer, dispatched from Geneva, Switzerland
Hidehiko Yuzaki, governor of Hiroshima Prefecture, held a press conference on November 1 at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Mr. Yuzaki, now visiting Europe, criticized the Japanese government’s decision to decline signing a statement backed by more than 30 nations which calls for nuclear weapons to be made illegal under international law. “It’s disappointing how the government’s attitude contradicts its appeals for the abolition of nuclear weapons,” the governor said.
Asked his view on the Japanese government’s reluctance to join the statement issued on October 22, Mr. Yuzaki said, “The Japanese government makes its appeals for nuclear abolition from beneath the U.S. nuclear umbrella, which is a contradiction in the first place.” He emphasized that the government should move out from under the nuclear umbrella and seek multilateral talks to reduce the world’s nuclear arms.
In responding to a question concerning nuclear energy, Mr. Yuzaki commented, “Nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants are entirely different things. Each nation should shape its own energy policy, and I take a neutral position on the issue of nuclear power.”
The press conference was held by the prefectural government to promote the prefecture’s “Hiroshima for Global Peace” plan. Sixteen news organizations, from various nations, attended the press conference. Governor Yuzaki discussed the roles Hiroshima should play in the areas of nuclear weapons abolition and peace building.
(Originally published on November 3, 2012)
Hidehiko Yuzaki, governor of Hiroshima Prefecture, held a press conference on November 1 at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Mr. Yuzaki, now visiting Europe, criticized the Japanese government’s decision to decline signing a statement backed by more than 30 nations which calls for nuclear weapons to be made illegal under international law. “It’s disappointing how the government’s attitude contradicts its appeals for the abolition of nuclear weapons,” the governor said.
Asked his view on the Japanese government’s reluctance to join the statement issued on October 22, Mr. Yuzaki said, “The Japanese government makes its appeals for nuclear abolition from beneath the U.S. nuclear umbrella, which is a contradiction in the first place.” He emphasized that the government should move out from under the nuclear umbrella and seek multilateral talks to reduce the world’s nuclear arms.
In responding to a question concerning nuclear energy, Mr. Yuzaki commented, “Nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants are entirely different things. Each nation should shape its own energy policy, and I take a neutral position on the issue of nuclear power.”
The press conference was held by the prefectural government to promote the prefecture’s “Hiroshima for Global Peace” plan. Sixteen news organizations, from various nations, attended the press conference. Governor Yuzaki discussed the roles Hiroshima should play in the areas of nuclear weapons abolition and peace building.
(Originally published on November 3, 2012)
