Hibakusha protest against U.S. N-test

The Japan Council against A & H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo) on May 26 staged a protest action in front of the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo against a U.S. subcritical nuclear test.

The United States conducted the subcritical test at a Nevada nuclear test site early on May 26 (Japan time).

Gensuikyo representatives handed a protest letter to the embassy saying that the test reneges on the "unequivocal commitment to the elimination of their nuclear arsenals" made by nuclear weapons states, including the United States, at the 2000 Non-nuclear Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.

Hibakusha in Tokyo also visited the embassy on the same day to convey their protest against the test. A man who was exposed to radiation at the age of 18 said that he abhors the existence of nuclear weapons. Another man said, "I was exposed to radiation when I was 13. My face, throat, stomache, and arms were burnt. I don't understand why the Unites States continues developing weapons that bring human beings to ruin."

In Hiroshima, Hibakusha staged a sit-in at the Atomic Bomb Monument in the Peace Memorial Park.

Hiroshima Mayor Akiba Tadayoshi sent a letter of protest stating, "On behalf of Hiroshima people, I vehemently protest," to U.S. President George W. Bush and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker.

Nagasaki's Hibakusha issued a statement in protest against the U.S. nuclear test and sent a letter of protest to the U.S. president.

Nagasaki Mayor Itoh Iccho commented, "Toward the next year's NPT Review Conference, I will tenaciously make efforts to bring together as many peace groups as possible and to outline a specific program for the elimination of nuclear weapons."

The U.S. Energy Department explained that the purpose of the test "Armand" undertaken by the Los Alamos National Laboratory was "to produce essential scientific data and technical information used to help maintain the safety and reliability of the nuclear weapons stockpile."

The Unites States has carried out 21 sub-critical nuclear tests since 1997,with the Bush administration alone conducting eight tests, including "Armand". (end)