Hiroshima governor criticizes Osaka mayor’s remarks, argues nuclear abolition is possible
Nov. 16, 2012
by Kenichiro Nozaki, Staff Writer
Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki criticized comments made by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, who serves as the president of the Nippon Ishin no Kai, or the Japan Restoration Party, at a press conference held on November 13. Mr. Hashimoto had remarked, “In reality, eliminating nuclear weapons is impossible.” At the press conference, Mr. Yuzaki responded, “It’s indeed possible, and I urge the mayor, as the president of a formal political party, to change his perception of the issue.” The Hiroshima governor also called on Mr. Hashimoto to adhere to the nation’s “Three Non-Nuclear Principles,” which the Osaka mayor implied could be reconsidered.
On November 10, after delivering a speech on the streets of downtown Hiroshima, Mr. Hashimoto spoke to the media and said, “Nuclear abolition may be the ideal, but in reality, eliminating nuclear weapons is impossible to achieve. Japan must remain under the U.S. nuclear umbrella.”
Responding to these remarks, Governor Yuzaki stressed, “He is the president of a political party, which holds certain influence. I hope he will carefully study this issue.” He went on: “Without making the effort to create a region where the member states do not rely on nuclear deterrence, it shows a lack of understanding of the issue to say that nuclear weapons are needed.”
Mr. Hashimoto also touched on the idea of bringing nuclear arms into Japan, an act prohibited by the Three Non-Nuclear Principles: “If nuclear weapons are needed in Japan, I would like to address this question to the public and seek their understanding.” His comment, suggesting a possible embrace of nuclear arms, implied that the principle forbidding nuclear weapons on Japanese soil could be reconsidered. Governor Yuzaki responded by asserting: “The Three Non-Nuclear Principles must absolutely be observed. They must be adhered to strictly in the future, too.”
(Originally published on November 14, 2012)
Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki criticized comments made by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, who serves as the president of the Nippon Ishin no Kai, or the Japan Restoration Party, at a press conference held on November 13. Mr. Hashimoto had remarked, “In reality, eliminating nuclear weapons is impossible.” At the press conference, Mr. Yuzaki responded, “It’s indeed possible, and I urge the mayor, as the president of a formal political party, to change his perception of the issue.” The Hiroshima governor also called on Mr. Hashimoto to adhere to the nation’s “Three Non-Nuclear Principles,” which the Osaka mayor implied could be reconsidered.
On November 10, after delivering a speech on the streets of downtown Hiroshima, Mr. Hashimoto spoke to the media and said, “Nuclear abolition may be the ideal, but in reality, eliminating nuclear weapons is impossible to achieve. Japan must remain under the U.S. nuclear umbrella.”
Responding to these remarks, Governor Yuzaki stressed, “He is the president of a political party, which holds certain influence. I hope he will carefully study this issue.” He went on: “Without making the effort to create a region where the member states do not rely on nuclear deterrence, it shows a lack of understanding of the issue to say that nuclear weapons are needed.”
Mr. Hashimoto also touched on the idea of bringing nuclear arms into Japan, an act prohibited by the Three Non-Nuclear Principles: “If nuclear weapons are needed in Japan, I would like to address this question to the public and seek their understanding.” His comment, suggesting a possible embrace of nuclear arms, implied that the principle forbidding nuclear weapons on Japanese soil could be reconsidered. Governor Yuzaki responded by asserting: “The Three Non-Nuclear Principles must absolutely be observed. They must be adhered to strictly in the future, too.”
(Originally published on November 14, 2012)
