World Conference against A & H Bombs to be held in Hiroshima and Nagasaki between August 2 and 9

   The Organizing Committee of the World Conference against A & H Bombs, in its 61st general meeting held on February 14 in Tokyo, decided to hold the 2008 World Conference against A & H Bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki from August 2 to 9 under the banner, “A Nuclear Weapon-Free, Peaceful and Just World.”

   Japan Council against A & H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo) Secretary General Taka Hiroshi made a report on the role and significance of the 2008 World Conference.

   Taka pointed out that despite the breakdown in the 2005 NPT Review Conference, a major international current calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons has been steadily developing. The awareness that prevention of proliferation of nuclear weapons can only be ensured by their abolition is spreading worldwide as shown by recent statements of those who were involved in formulating nuclear weapons policy in the U.S. and Britain.

   Pointing out that the 2010 NPT Review Conference is required to fulfill the promise of an “unequivocal undertaking” to eliminate nuclear weapons made at the 2000 NPT Review Conference, Taka stressed that this year’s World Conference will be a major opportunity to develop the international joint campaign in which grassroots movements, national governments, and NGOs join hands.

   The general meeting adopted a statement calling for participation in and support to the 2008 World Conference as well as the action policy to achieve the success of the Conference.

   The statement urges the Japanese government to take the lead in the international effort to eliminate nuclear weapons as the government of the only A-bombed nation, strictly abide by the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and Article 9 of the Constitution, and contribute to world peace. It expresses Japanese anti-nuclear forces’ determination to further develop grassroots movements jointly with Hibakusha.
- Akahata, February 15, 2008