Atomic bomb survivor who met Prime Minister Kishida directly expressed his “embarrassing feelings” “Japan-US nuclear alliance” violates the principle of “nuclear weapons-free world”: Tokyo Shimbun TOKYO Web

2024-08-06 21:00:00

On the 6th, to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the post-war atomic bombing, Prime Minister Kishida reiterated his commitment to realizing a “nuclear-weapon-free world” at the Hiroshima City Peace Memorial Ceremony. However, contrary to his determination, it deepened the contradiction of the United States’ reliance on its “nuclear umbrella” has been exposed. The country continues to turn its back on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which many atomic bomb survivors aspire to join, and is still far from its ideal of leading the international community in the abolition of nuclear weapons as a nation of atomic bomb survivors.

◆Emphasis: “I will lead the way.”

“No matter how difficult the road to a world without nuclear weapons is, we cannot stop moving forward.” The Prime Minister emphasized his strength in his speech at the ceremony. “I will take the lead in participating in it,” he said of the meeting of friendly countries being launched to realize the Fissile Materials Treaty (FMCT).

Prime Minister Kishida (center, rear) holds a meeting with leaders invited to participate in the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May 2023 in Uji Minami Ward, Hiroshima.

The prime minister, who celebrated the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima at the end of his term, has made nuclear issues his life’s work and produced the first joint document on nuclear disarmament, the Hiroshima Vision, at last year’s G7 Hiroshima Summit. However, as the document confirms, Japan is moving toward strengthening “nuclear deterrence,” a doctrine that deters adversaries from launching attacks by intimidating them into retaliating with nuclear weapons.

◆No response to calls to change the “nuclear deterrence theory”

The first Japan-US Extended Deterrence Ministerial Conference was held at the end of last month. Russia threatened to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine, while China and North Korea increased their nuclear weapons. Mayor Matsui called for a shift in nuclear deterrence policy in his peace declaration that day, but the prime minister declined to comment, saying at a press conference after the ceremony: “This is an important step to enhance the trust relationship between Japan, China and the United States.”

The same callousness applies to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which makes nuclear weapons completely illegal.

“We atomic bomb survivors are frustrated and embarrassed about working abroad when the government reneges on the treaty.” Satoshi Tanaka (80), executive director of the Liaison Committee of the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Survivors Association, met with the prime minister at a meeting of the atomic bomb survivors’ organization in the city. The following speeches were made at the meeting and calls were made for Hiroshima to accede to the treaty.

◆Negotiations with nuclear-armed countries still have no results

The prime minister reiterated his traditional view that “reality will not change unless nuclear-armed states are moved” and made no mention of his participation as an observer.

Are we any closer to a world without nuclear weapons, led by a prime minister elected from a city devastated by atomic bombs? After the meeting, Mr. Tanaka expressed his sense of crisis, saying: “Nuclear deterrence is far from what we imagined and is embarking on a dangerous path.” Kunihiko Sakuma (79), president of the Hiroshima Prefecture Atomic Bomb Victims Group Council ) also expressed disappointment with the Prime Minister’s response. He criticized the Prime Minister and said: “Why are the voices of the atomic bomb survivors not heard when they are condemned? Complaining about the reality of the atomic bombing?”

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which requires nuclear-armed states to negotiate nuclear disarmament, has stalled and the prime minister has failed to achieve any tangible results. (Kondo Chanyoshi)

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◆Disobeying rules and shouting

<廣島市立大學廣島和平研究所國際關係教授梅原敏哉的報告>
The international nuclear weapons situation is not optimistic, the US-Russian nuclear disarmament treaty has expired, and the Israeli minister proposed the use of nuclear weapons against the Palestinian Gaza Autonomous Region. I know that Prime Minister Kishida is very passionate about nuclear issues, but he did not elaborate on the fact that “the use of nuclear weapons will never be allowed.” I have to say that this is a mistake. If we want to strengthen extended deterrence, we should aim for a form that does not rely on nuclear weapons. The move of the Japan-US alliance into a nuclear alliance will naturally make the survivors of the atomic bomb sad.

Although the Japanese government advocates the abolition of nuclear weapons, it has been unwilling to impose specific restrictions on the use of nuclear weapons, such as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. In order to make people feel that the United States is the only country to be bombed by atomic bombs in the war, some methods can be adopted to encourage the United States not to use atomic bombs first, and use this as a starting point to propose a forum for dialogue with China. Reducing the risk of nuclear use between the United States and China should also benefit Japan’s security.



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