 Hope for a world free of nuclear weapons is the driving force Reviewing activities in New York by a 800-strong Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo) delegation calling for nuclear weapons abolition on the occasion of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, Takakusagi Hiroshi, Japan Gensuikyo secretary general, said that they encouraged U.S. citizens as well as governments of non-nuclear countries. The following is an excerpt from an Akahata interview with Takakusagi: On behalf of Japan Gensuikyo and the international anti-nuclear network "Abolition Now!", I presented the signatures to Sergio Duarte, president of the 7th NPT Review Conference. Members of the delegation continued to collect anti-nuclear signatures until just before their departure, and collected at least 12,000 signatures in New York City. I think that the events we experienced in New York have shown clearly that the world wants nuclear weapons abolition. Listening to statements at U.N. discussions and the responses of governments to our representations, we perceived that the call for the previous Review Conference agreements to be implemented is the main current of international opinion. Not a few countries in the west stated that the previous agreements and promises should be fulfilled. The Vatican used to approve of nuclear deterrence, but its representative recently stated that the "unequivocal undertaking" for nuclear disarmament is necessary. Many government representatives referred to the danger of terrorism, but made it clear that terrorism must not be used as a pretext for sabotaging nuclear disarmament. My impression is that opinions in favor of the United States position are waning. Just a few decades ago, a complete ban on nuclear weapons was regarded as an ideal or a dream that was unrealizable. Today, an overwhelming majority supports this call in international politics. However wonderful the NPT Conference conclusion is, it needs to be followed by an enormous and dynamic movement to achieve it. A greater movement is more necessary now than ever, at a time when nuclear weapons states, particularly the U.S. Bush administration that lacks rational reasoning power, are creating an adverse current. In this context, this year's World Conference against A and H Bombs will be really important. The task now is to increase the opinion and movement oriented toward the World Conference. Taking confidence in the fact that every single marcher in New York has encouraged U.S. citizens and non-nuclear weapons governments, I hope that they will advance the movement further. It is a simple personal act that changes the world. Our movement is motivated by the hope for a nuclear-weapons free world, and it is not just urged by a sense of crisis. - Akahata May 11, 2005 |