March 4, 2020

The Foreign Ministry pressured the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) to change part of its A-bomb photo exhibition to be held next month at the UN Headquarters in New York City, Akahata on March 4 reported.

In the past, Hidankyo organized the A-bomb photo exhibition in the lobby of the UN Headquarters in 2005, 2010, and 2015 when the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) took place, and each time the exhibition was supported by the Foreign Ministry. With the 2020 NPT Review Conference scheduled for April, Hidankyo has been busy preparing this year’s exhibition.

According to Hidankyo, the Foreign Ministry pointed out that there are photo panels depicting the nuclear disasters of Fukushima and Chernobyl among the 50 photo panels to be displayed at the exhibition and said that it will not give its support to the event without some adjustments.

Hidankyo Secretary General Kido Sueichi said that the Foreign Ministry complained that the reference to the nuclear disasters is unfit for the exhibition by citing that the NPT calls for the peaceful use of nuclear technologies. He added that Hidankyo rejected the ministry’s interference by saying that the exhibition content will not be changed as it already received consent from the UN.

In response to an Akahata inquiry, the Foreign Ministry said that it is now considering whether or not to give support to the exhibition. The ministry also said that it is discussing the matter with Hidankyo and refused to provide further details.

Kido said, “We will hold the exhibition as initially planned. If our event is not supported by the Foreign Ministry, we will lodge a protest.”

Past related articles:
> 1,000 Japanese march in NYC, calling for end to nuclear arms [May 10, 2015]
> A-bomb photo exhibition scheduled in Vienna [April 13, 2012]