 First New Year action against A&H Bombs At the beginning of the New Year marking the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, peace activists in major cities carried out this year's first monthly signature collecting action, calling for an immediate ban on nuclear weapons and the enactment of state relief measures for Hibakusha (A-bomb survivors). Tokyo On January 6, about 50 people from the Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Gensuikyo) and other peace organizations stood in front of JR Ueno Station in Tokyo, showing photos on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the aftermath of the atomic bombings. Within an hour, about 160 citizens signed the petition bearing the call for "Abolition Now! It's time to abolish nuclear weapons!" Hiroshima About 40 members from Hiroshima Gensuikyo and the Hiroshima A and H Bombs Sufferers' Organization (Hidankyo) took to the street in Hiroshima City and called on citizens to sign the petition to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. Seeing an elderly Hibakusha speaking through a hand microphone in the cold wind, a young girl signed the petition and stated that she would support their campaign to ban nuclear weapons. Shimane In western Shimane Prefecture on the Sea of Japan, about 20 people from Gensuikyo carried out a similar street action. As at December 10, 2004, 16.5 million "Abolition Now!" signatures have been collected. (end) |