nuke

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Let's make 60th anniversary of atomic bombing a turning point toward nuclear weapons abolition
Akahata editorial

It is 60 years since the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and on Nagasaki three days later.

Hibakusha - surviving victims - who experienced "hell on earth" have overcome enormous difficulties and have been calling for there to be no more hibakusha. Their life and death condemnation of nuclear weapons that totally destroy humanity and even deny victims dignified deaths has touched the hearts of many people, and their calls have converged into one large movement to achieve peace without nuclear weapons. It is this movement that has many times checked the danger of nuclear war.

Intense discussions

Without their keen wishes being realized, hibakusha are growing older. Their average age is now 73. What is more,the United States stubbornly refuses to fulfill the "unequivocal undertaking" to eliminate nuclear weapons and is openly pushing ahead with its war of aggression against Iraq. Against this background, the determination to achieve a world free of war and nuclear weapons is spreading steadfastly.

Hibakusha made their first international call in a message to the world published by the Japan Confederation of A and H Bombs Sufferers Organization (Nihon Hidankyo) in August 1956. It stated: "We appeal to the world: Never again must humanity experience the same calamities and suffering as we did." Nihon Hidankyo has issued a second message to the world calling for "No more Hiroshimas and No more Nagasakis" to represent an idea shared by all humankind.

This year's International Meeting of the World Conference against A&H Bombs was held with the theme: 60 Years Since the Atomic Bombing:

Time to Develop Actions and Cooperation for a Nuclear Weapon-Free, Peaceful, and Just World."

Responding to this call of hibakusha, a record 264 overseas delegates from 29 countries, including government officials of Malaysia, Mexico, Sweden, Vietnam, Cuba, and the League of Arab States, took part in discussions.

The "Declaration" made it clear that despite the persistent adverse current represented by the Bush Administration adopting a preemptive attack strategy, an overwhelming majority of world opinion is in favor of a peaceful world without nuclear weapons, and that the anti-nuclear movement is making progress. It called on the world to redouble the effort to develop international cooperation and joint action in this 60th year since the atomic bombings.

Recalling the 1955 Russell-Einstein Manifesto that states, "We appeal, as human beings, to human beings: Remember your humanity, and forget the rest," the 55th Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs held just before the 2005 World Conference appealed to take "immediate steps to reduce the nuclear threat."

This year's World Conference of Mayors for Peace seeking for urgent actions for the elimination of nuclear weapons attracted 275 people, including 99 mayors from 25 countries, including those from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

More young participants

It was good to see a large number of young people take part in this year's World Conference from around the country and abroad, including 130 young people from France. They organized the "International Youth Rally" where about 3,000 participants exchanged their anti-nuclear weapons actions, adding a new page in history.

To people of the atomic-bombed country, and people of the country with the war-renouncing Article 9 in the Constitution: The JCP calls on all of you to sincerely accept the earnest commitment of hibakusha and act together to create a world free of the threat of nuclear weapons. Let's increase activities to achieve peace while furthering cooperation with younger generations! -- Akahata, August 6, 2005