Japan's nuclear-free governments urge nuclear weapons states to eliminate nuclear arsenals

More than 100 nuclear-free local governments met for their annual assembly in Nagasaki City on July 27. The assembly was chaired by Yamada Kenzo, Japanese Communist Party member and mayor of Nanko Town in Hyogo Prefecture.

After an extensive discussion, the meeting adopted a unanimous resolution expressing concern about nuclear threats extending into space and urging nuclear weapons states to respect and implement the international disarmament agreements.

Addressing on behalf of the organizer of the 2001 National Assembly of Nuclear Weapon-Free Municipalities, Nagasaki City Mayor Ito Iccho, the council's chair, pointed out that nuclear weapons states have not come up with concrete plans for implementing their promise to eliminate their nuclear arsenals. He also emphasized the importance of many more municipalities joining the Council of Nuclear Weapons-Free Municipalities.

During the discussion, many original initiatives were introduced: Suginami Ward in Tokyo every year holds a film festival in August, a peace concert in March, and exhibits 'peace posters' throughout the year; Usui Town in Fukuoka Prefecture attracted residents' attention by holding a "peace paintings exhibition" at the peace memorial hall. (end)