Peace organizations and Nagasaki mayor call for canceling of U.S. nuclear testing

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Peace organizations and Nagasaki mayor call for canceling of U.S. nuclear testing

Japanese peace organizations on August 30 staged a protest in front of the U.S. embassy in Tokyo against a U.S. subcritical nuclear test called "Unicorn" to be conducted at the Nevada Test Site.

Taka Hiroshi, secretary general of the Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo), pointed out that the international community had agreed on an "unequivocal undertaking" to abolish nuclear weapons six years ago and that all nuclear weapons possessing states are required to fulfill this commitment.

He criticized the United States for maintaining massive amounts of nuclear weapons while denouncing nuclear proliferation to other countries.

Representatives handed out a written protest to an embassy official. Participating organizations were Japan Gensuikyo, the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), the All Japan Teachers and Staff Union (Zenkyo), the New Japan Women's Association (Shinfujin), the Japan Peace Committee, the Japan Federation of Democratic Medical Institutions (Min-Iren), and the Democratic Youth League of Japan.

On the same day, Nagasaki Mayor Itoh Iccho sent a statement of protest to demand an immediate cancellation of the nuclear test, stating, "It may give other counties a pretext for developing their nuclear weapons, amounting to an outrageous act that threatens the world peace and stability."

The National Council of Japan Nuclear Free Local Authorities, consisting of 215 municipalities, also sent the U.S. embassy in Tokyo a written protest demanding the cancellation of the nuclear test. The Nagasaki Council of the A-Bomb Sufferers also published a statement in protest against the U.S. nuclear test.
- Akahata, August 31, 2006