July 13, 2018

The World Conference against A and H Bombs Organizing Committee on July 12 at a press conference in Tokyo published an appeal calling for the success of the 2018 world conference (August 2 to 9 in Hiroshima and Nagasaki) and support for Hiroshima and other areas affected by the recent rainstorm and flooding in western Japan.

Referring to the torrential rain disaster that killed 200 people in 14 prefectures (as of July 12), the appeal expresses sorrow for the dead and says that the search for missing persons and relief and recovery efforts are continuing in the affected areas. It notes that in Hiroshima, which will host the world conference, despite serious damage, work for the success of the conference has begun. The appeal stresses the need to provide support from across Japan to Hiroshima. It also calls for the success of this year’s conference through domestic and international solidarity.

At the press conference, representatives of the Steering Committee of the Organizing Committee, Takakusaki Hiroshi and Noguchi Kunikazu, explained the focus of the 2018 world conference in line with the appeal. They said that the main focus will be on encouraging both countries under the “nuclear umbrella” and nuclear weapons states to sign and ratify the UN antinuke treaty and on promoting public opinion for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

The two also stressed that this year’s conference will aim to exchange views on the current situation in Northeast Asia and the tasks needed to be taken on to work for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and will also aim to urge the government of Japan, as the only A-bombed nation with a war-renouncing Constitution, to play a key role in the total abolition of nuclear weapons.

They said to the reporters that seeking to establish a government joining the UN nuclear weapons ban treaty, the World Conference Organizing Committee calls on opposition parties supporting the UN treaty to send their representatives to the conference. They expressed their determination to make the 2018 world conference successful as an event that will strengthen collaboration between opposition parties and concerned citizens.

According to the Organizing Committee, the government of Ireland which worked hard for the adoption of the UN treaty banning nuclear weapons will send a representative to the world conference for the first time. In addition, government representatives of Austria, Mexico, and Cuba will also be present at this year’s conference. The number of confirmed overseas delegates is 77 from 22 countries, as of July 12.