August 7, 2021

The Hiroshima Day rally took place online on August 6 as part of the 2021World Conference against A and H Bombs. Representatives of organizations from both home and abroad took part in the rally, calling for a just and peaceful world without nuclear weapons and urging the Japanese government to sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Hiroshima City Mayor Matsui Kazumi delivered a speech in greeting as a guest.

The rally released the "Call from Hiroshima (see below)" calling for a political shift in nuclear weapons states and in countries under the nuclear umbrellas.

The representatives, including Austrian Disarmament Ambassador Alexander Kmment, delivered speeches. The ambassador, who will chair the first conference of States Parties to the TPNW, highlighted the need for the government of the only A-bombed country to participate in the conference.

Beatrice Fihn, executive director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), said, "We must impress upon the Japanese government that it is unacceptable to support nuclear threats."

Carlos Umana, vice president of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), said, "Nuclear disarmament is up to us to pressure governments. Let us act to realize a nuclear weapons-free world!"

Roland Nivet, national secretary of the French Peace Movement, reported that many movements in various fields are converging on being a part of the global campaign to eliminate nuclear weapons. Bak Hayong of the Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea (SPARK), called on citizens of both Japan and South Korea to cooperate to press their governments to join the TPNW.

At a special event in the Hiroshima Day rally, Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Representatives Kasai Akira talked with college and high school students about working for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of a truly peaceful world.

A college student, in regard to IOC President Thomas Bach who had rejected a Japanese request for a minute of silence on August 6 at the Olympic Games, said, "The IOC is making light of the feelings of Japanese citizens." Kasai in response said, "Many Japanese people wanted priority to be given to 'lives over Olympics', but the Tokyo Olympics was held in defiance of the public call. This is inappropriate for a supposed festival of peace."

The Hiroshima City government and the Hiroshima Federation of A- and H- Bomb Sufferers' Organizations (Hiroshima Hidankyo) requested in writing in late July that IOC President Thomas Bach and the Organizing Committee encourage athletes to offer a minute of silence at such locations as the athletes' village, but the request was rejected.

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2021 World Conference against A and H Bombs Hiroshima Day Rally

Call from Hiroshima


“The States Parties to this Treaty,….
“Deeply concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that would result from any use of nuclear weapons, and recognizing the consequent need to completely eliminate such weapons, which remains the only way to guarantee that nuclear weapons are never used again under any circumstances,…
“Have agreed as follows:…”
（From the preamble to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons）

Seventy-six years have passed since the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The Hibakusha’s voices moved the world to achieve the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) – a truly historic achievement. At a time when people all around the world are deepening their concern for the dignity of human lives due to the coronavirus pandemic, we are meeting online for the 2021 World Conference against A and H Bombs. Building on the treaty, we renew our determination to make further advance towards a “world free of nuclear weapons”.

Humans are still threatened by the danger of annihilation due to the existence of more than 13,000 nuclear warheads in the world. With confrontations and tensions between big powers increasing, the concern over the danger of an actual use of nuclear weapons is increasing. They should put an end to all armed conflicts or any other actions leading to such conflicts, and further cancel the ongoing reinforcement and development of nuclear arsenals. Especially, we must get rid of the dangerous delusion of “nuclear deterrence” doctrine, which operates on the premise that nuclear weapons can be used.

We call on all countries to support and join the TPNW. We strongly urge nuclear-armed states to accede to the global call for nuclear weapons to be banned and eliminated.

In order to move forward toward the abolition of nuclear weapons, it is essential to change the policies of the nuclear-armed states and their allies. In particular, it is very important for Japan, the only country to have suffered a nuclear attack, to make a policy shift to supporting the TPNW. The House of Representatives election slated for autumn will provide a great opportunity to demand that.

We call on all people worldwide to take action to achieve a “nuclear-free, peaceful and just world” as follows:

- In Japan, let us drum up broader support regardless of ideology or political affiliation to realize a Japan that joins the TPNW. We must make the forthcoming general election this autumn a turning point for that to happen.

- Let us call on all national governments to support and join the TPNW;

- Let us make known to people at home and abroad the damage and after-effects of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and expose for all to see the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons. Let us hold “A-bomb exhibitions” and other events so Hibakusha can share their tragic stories. Let us increase activities in support of and in solidarity with Hibakusha in order to achieve an overhaul of the system of certifying people with illnesses caused by exposure to radiation from the atomic bomb as Hibakusha entitled to receive benefits and state compensation for sufferings associated with the atomic bombings. Let us work for broader areas to gain government designation as “Black Rain”-affected areas so that all Hibakusha in these areas can receive government relief measures;

- Let us further develop joint efforts among national governments, civil society and grassroots anti-nuclear and peace movements on the occasion of the upcoming 76th UN General Assembly, the NPT Review Conference, and the first meeting of states parties to the TPNW. Let us make a success of the Peace Wave 2021 (August 2-9);

- Let us broaden the signature collection drive urging the Japanese government to sign and ratify the TPNW. Let us press the government to discard the US nuclear umbrella and join the TPNW. We should further increase the effort to get local governments to adopt resolutions urging the government to sign and ratify the TPNW. We demand that the government abrogate the secret nuclear agreements it made with the United States, strictly observe the Three Non-Nuclear Principles (not to possess, manufacture, or allow nuclear weapons to be brought into Japan) and turn them into enforceable law;

- Let us further increase the struggle to prevent the adverse revision of the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution and repeal the so-called “War Laws.” In solidarity with the “All Okinawa” movement to stop the construction of a new US military base in the Henoko district of Nago City, Okinawa, we demand the immediate return of the US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma site. We oppose any military buildup and the strengthening of the Japan-US military alliance, including the development or deployment of missiles to attack enemy base.

- Let us demand that the government carry out diplomacy for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the building of a peace system in East Asia by making use of Japan’s Peace Constitution. Let us develop citizens’ solidarity with South Korean and other East Asian countries working for peace. We will work on a fundraising drive for the relief of Orange Agent victims in Vietnam.

- Let us oppose the restart of nuclear power reactors, call for nuclear power to be replaced with renewable energy, and increase the movement to reverse the climate change. We must fight against the destruction of employment opportunities and livelihoods, which are exacerbating amid the pandemic and fight against the growing poverty and widening economic inequalities, and develop the movement to cut military expenditure to protect social welfare services and education. Let us fight against all forms of discrimination and demand gender equality and broader LGBT rights. Let us fight against all forms of violation of freedom of expression.

- Let us work hand in hand with all people who wish to live a humane life to develop great common action for human dignity. Let us work together with the Hibakusha, and with young people to open a bright future.

No More Hiroshimas! No More Nagasakis! No More Hibakusha! No More Wars!


August 6, 2021
Organizing Committee of the World Conference against A & H Bombs