August 9, 2023

The 2023 World Conference against A and H Bombs - Nagasaki, which was rescheduled due to an approaching typhoon, closed on August 8 in Nagasaki City with about 4,300 people, including online viewers, participating after adopting the "Call from Nagasaki (see below)”.

The “Call” states, "Building on the treaty, grassroots movements, civil society, and national governments must greatly develop their cooperation to overcome the current crisis situation."

The adopted document calls on all governments to support and join the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), stressing the need to further inform the world of the realities from the A-bombing and of the inhumane consequences a nuclear weapon would bring about. The “Call from Nagasaki” states, "Together with the Hibakusha and the younger generation, let us open up a new future of peace."

Nakamitsu Izumi, UN under-secretary-general/high representative for disarmament; and Ahmad Faisal Muhamad, permanent representative of the UN mission of Malaysia, sent video messages to the Nagasaki Day rally, respectively.

Nakamitsu said, "We need new impetus to drive humanity forward in its quest for peace," and expressed her expectation that civil society will be a catalyst for turning the tide away from the risk of nuclear war and promoting nuclear disarmament.

Muhamad said, "Let us remain steadfast in our resolve to attain a nuclear-weapon-free world, recognizing the role of key stakeholders such as our partners in civil society."

Tanaka Terumi, a co-chair of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) spoke of his A-bomb experience in Nagasaki, conveying Hibakusha’s voices to the world.

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Representatives Akamine Seiken, elected from Okinawa, reported on the struggle of Okinawans against military bases. Peace activists and young people from Okinawa and the Nansei Islands as well as from other prefectures in the Kyushu region spoke in turn about their activities in opposition to arms buildups.

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Nagasaki resolution, 2023 World Conference against A and H Bombs

Call from Nagasaki

We will not return to the failed nuclear deterrence policies.
We will not return to funding nuclear violence instead of human needs.
We will not return to irreversibly contaminating our environment.
We will not continue to risk the life of future generations.
To the leaders of the countries across the world, I beseech you, if you love this planet, you will sign this treaty. Nuclear weapons has always been immoral. Now they are also illegal. Together let us go forth and change the world.
-- Setsuko Thurlow’s final remarks upon the adoption of the
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

Seventy-eight years have passed since the U.S. dropped the 2nd atomic bomb on Nagasaki. As Russia continues its aggression in Ukraine, the world faces a dangerous situation in which the use of nuclear weapons again could become a reality. We, gathered in Nagasaki, the 2nd A-bombed city of Japan, appeal together with the Hibakusha: Nuclear weapons must never be used under any circumstances. All nuclear weapons must be completely eliminated at the earliest possible moment. We call on you to support the Declaration of the International Meeting of the 2023 World Conference against A and H Bombs and to stand up for immediate action.

The use or threat to use nuclear weapons is a violation of the UN Charter, which provides for the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and must not be allowed under any circumstances. Russia must immediately cease its nuclear threats; the G7 summit in Hiroshima openly endorsed the "nuclear deterrent" theory, greatly offending the Hibakusha. We cannot accept that a NATO summit has reaffirmed its adherence to nuclear weapons. The vicious cycle of military against military and nuclear against nuclear will only make the situation worse.

Let us strongly demand that Russia immediately stop its aggression against Ukraine and withdraw from the country. Let us not allow the world to be divided by military blocs, but unite in defense of the UN Charter and seek a solution based on UN General Assembly resolutions. We must not allow the nuclear superpowers to use Russia's invasion of Ukraine as an excuse to ignore their obligation to negotiate nuclear disarmament under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the implementation of previous agreements. Let us urge Japan, as the only A-bombed nation, to work to fulfill these obligations and agreements.

The first Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) adopted the “Vienna Declaration” and formulated the “Action Plan” that includes support for victims of the use of nuclear weapons and nuclear tests, and has begun to function as an international law. Building on the treaty, grassroots movements, civil society, and national governments must greatly develop their cooperation to overcome the current crisis situation.

We call on all governments to support and join the TPNW. On the occasion of the 78th UN General Assembly, the 2nd Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW (starting on November 27 in New York), and the Preparatory Committees for the 11th NPT Review Conference (2026), let us develop collaboration between governments, civil society, and grassroots movements. Let us urge the Japanese government to participate, at the very least as an observer, in the 2nd Meeting of the TPNW States Parties and to join the international cooperation in support of the nuclear victims that has already started.

Let us make the damage and people’s suffering caused by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki known widely and denounce the inhumanity of nuclear weapons. Let us hold "A-bomb exhibitions" and gatherings of Hibakusha in all communities to share their A-bomb experiences. Strengthen activities of support and solidarity with Hibakusha toward drastic improvement of the A-bomb Disease Recognition System and realization of State compensation for the A-bomb damage. We must achieve full relief by the State for the victims of the "Black Rain" in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Let us support the activities of Hibakusha in Japan and Korea and of nuclear victims around the world.

The responsibility of the conference chair, Japan, is grave for endorsing the G7 Hiroshima Summit's blatant promotion of the discredited theory of "nuclear deterrence.” The Kishida government has deepened Japan's dependence on the supposed U.S. nuclear umbrella and, under the pretext of strengthening "nuclear deterrence," is now running full speed ahead to create a "war-mongering nation" under the Japan-U.S. military alliance, including an unprecedented military buildup in violation of the Constitution, possession of an "enemy base attack capability," and militarization of Okinawa and other Nansei Islands. This is nothing short of a threat to the peace and security of the Asia-Pacific region.

Let us block the attempts to revise Article 9 of the Constitution. We oppose the massive military buildup, including the possession of an "enemy base attack capability" and the doubling of military spending. Abolish the War Laws. In solidarity with the "All Okinawa" struggle, we demand the cancellation of the construction of the new base at Henoko and the immediate return of the Futenma Air Base. We call for diplomacy based on the Constitution for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the building of peace in East Asia. We strongly urge the Japanese government to break away from the "nuclear deterrence" theory and sign and ratify the TPNW. Let us further develop the ongoing signature campaign and the local government resolutions to this effect. We demand the abolition of the secret Japan-U.S. nuclear pact and the strict adherence to the three non-nuclear principles and their enactment into law.

We oppose the discharge into the ocean of the "ALPS treated water" (radioactively contaminated water) from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, and are joining hands with all those who wish to lead a decent human life to create a grand coalition for human dignity, including movements for zero nuclear power, ending the climate crisis, overcoming poverty and inequality, reducing military spending and improving people’s livelihoods, welfare, and education, gender equality, and greater rights for LGBT people.

Together with the Hibakusha and the younger generation, let us open up a new future of peace.

No more Hiroshimas! No more Nagasakis! No more Hibakusha! No more war!
Nagasaki should remain the last A-bombed city!

August 8, 2023
2023 World Conference against A and H Bombs - Nagasaki