Hiroshima, Nagasaki Mayors urge Osaka mayor to deepen his understanding of A-bomb reality
Nov. 20, 2012
by Kohei Okata and Michiko Tanaka, Staff Writers
Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, who heads the Japan Restoration Party, stated in a speech made in Hiroshima on November 10 that abolishing nuclear weapons is “impossible.” Responding to this remark on November 14, the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki urged Mr. Hashimoto to understand the consequences of the atomic bombings before making comments on the issue.
During a press conference held at Hiroshima City Hall in the morning, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui said that Mr. Hashimoto’s remark is one made by “someone who does not understand the realities of the atomic bombing.”
“He should come to Hiroshima, visit Peace Memorial Museum, and listen to the thoughts of A-bomb survivors and truly understand their wishes,” Mr. Matsui said. “Then he will have a different point of view.” The mayor added, “Eliminating nuclear weapons is a not a subject for debate, but a wish which arises from actual experience.”
In the afternoon, the mayors of both Hiroshima and Nagasaki met with John Roos, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, in Tokyo. After the meeting, the mayors responded to questions from reporters. Mr. Taue questioned Mr. Hashimoto’s understanding of the issue, saying, “I don’t think he really has a thorough understanding of what nuclear weapons can do to human beings.” He also referred to efforts being made to advance the abolition of nuclear arms, including the creation of nuclear weapon-free zones, and said, “He should understand that many nations, and the U.N. secretary-general, are striving to establish mechanisms to move forward, step by step, toward that goal.” Mr. Matsui reiterated that Mr. Hashimoto should seek to understand the realities of the atomic bombing.
At the same time, Mr. Hashimoto rebuffed the criticism made by Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki the day before. Mr. Yuzaki had called for Mr. Hashimoto to “change his perception of the issue.” At Osaka City Hall, Mr. Hashimoto said to reporters, “Just making appeals for nuclear abolition will get you nowhere. The Hiroshima prefectural and municipal governments must demonstrate to the nuclear states how they can get involved. Just making appeals is not good politics.”
(Originally published on November 15, 2012)
Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, who heads the Japan Restoration Party, stated in a speech made in Hiroshima on November 10 that abolishing nuclear weapons is “impossible.” Responding to this remark on November 14, the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki urged Mr. Hashimoto to understand the consequences of the atomic bombings before making comments on the issue.
During a press conference held at Hiroshima City Hall in the morning, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui said that Mr. Hashimoto’s remark is one made by “someone who does not understand the realities of the atomic bombing.”
“He should come to Hiroshima, visit Peace Memorial Museum, and listen to the thoughts of A-bomb survivors and truly understand their wishes,” Mr. Matsui said. “Then he will have a different point of view.” The mayor added, “Eliminating nuclear weapons is a not a subject for debate, but a wish which arises from actual experience.”
In the afternoon, the mayors of both Hiroshima and Nagasaki met with John Roos, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, in Tokyo. After the meeting, the mayors responded to questions from reporters. Mr. Taue questioned Mr. Hashimoto’s understanding of the issue, saying, “I don’t think he really has a thorough understanding of what nuclear weapons can do to human beings.” He also referred to efforts being made to advance the abolition of nuclear arms, including the creation of nuclear weapon-free zones, and said, “He should understand that many nations, and the U.N. secretary-general, are striving to establish mechanisms to move forward, step by step, toward that goal.” Mr. Matsui reiterated that Mr. Hashimoto should seek to understand the realities of the atomic bombing.
At the same time, Mr. Hashimoto rebuffed the criticism made by Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki the day before. Mr. Yuzaki had called for Mr. Hashimoto to “change his perception of the issue.” At Osaka City Hall, Mr. Hashimoto said to reporters, “Just making appeals for nuclear abolition will get you nowhere. The Hiroshima prefectural and municipal governments must demonstrate to the nuclear states how they can get involved. Just making appeals is not good politics.”
(Originally published on November 15, 2012)
