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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Make 2006 a turning point for advancing toward nuclear free world ﾐ Gensuikyo adopts the 2006 action plan

The Japan Council against A & H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo) held its board meeting in Tokyo on February 11-12, and adopted the 2006 action plan which calls for increasing activities and solidarity to make a major advance toward a nuclear-free peaceful Japan as well as a peaceful and just world free of nuclear weapons and war.

The board meeting decided to push forward the new international signature campaign launched by Gensuikyo,"For the Swift Abolition of Nuclear Weapons" as the world-wide initiative to further strengthen the world's dominant current demanding the elimination of nuclear weapons and to further isolate the U.S. Bush administration which goes against it. It also confirmed that Gensuikyo will make every effort to make a success of the March 1 Bikini Day Action among other things.

Secretary General Taka Hiroshi at the meeting emphasized the need to be confident about the fact that Japan Gensuikyo has contributed to developing an unshakable world opinion demanding the elimination of nuclear weapons. He made an appeal "to extensively promote grassroots activities by taking initiatives in and out of Japan so as to make 2006 a turning point for realizing a nuclear-free, peaceful, and just world."

He pointed out that since the rupture of the NPT Review Conference last year international criticism of the Bush administration has increased, as have the movements for the elimination of nuclear weapons and the removal of nuclear weapons from U.S. bases in foreign countries. In the United Nations General Assembly last December, a New Agenda Coalition resolution calling for an "unequivocal undertaking" for the elimination of nuclear weapons received support from 153 countries. In contrast, only five countries, including the United States, Britain, and France, voted against the resolution, exposing the fact that the Bush administration is clearly isolated.

He also pointed out the importance of strengthening solidarity with local residents and local governments in opposition to the realignment and strengthening of functions of U.S. bases in Japan as well as increasing the movement in defense of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution.

In the discussion at the meeting, participants shared their experiences in the signature collection campaign and told of positive reactions from the people.
- Akahata, February 11-12, 2006