Japan Press Weekly

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2017 August 30 - September 5 [PEACE]

Hidankyo and Gensuikyo protest against N. Korea’s nuclear test

The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) on September 3 published a statement condemning North Korea’s sixth nuclear test earlier on the same day.

Hidankyo Secretary General Kido Sueichi in the statement expressed strong protest against the latest test explosion.

Kido pointed out that it is evident that the only way to settle the ongoing crisis pertaining to the North’s nuclear issue is to seek the full implementation of the UN treaty banning nuclear weapons which Hibakusha have long demanded.

Kido said that the Japanese government only talks about implementing tighter sanctions and imposing stronger pressure on the North. However, he went on to say, in order to avoid the worst outcome, it should make all possible efforts for dialogue including the Six-Party Talks.

Japan Council against A & H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo) Secretary General Yasui Masakazu on the same day also issued a statement. The full text of his statement is as follows:

We Condemn North Korea for Its Nuclear Test

September 3, 2017
Yasui Masakazu, Secretary General
Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Gensuikyo)

Today, North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) conducted its 6th nuclear test. This is a serious challenge to the international community, threatening peace and security of the world and the region. We firmly condemn this outrageous act, which blatantly tramples upon the aspiration of the people of the A-bombed Japan for the elimination of nuclear weapons.
　
The cycle of reciprocal provocations and threats by the U.S. and North Korea is heightening the real possibility of military conflict, creating a very dangerous situation.

We urge North Korean government to immediately end all nuclear tests and missile launches. At the same time, all parties concerned must stop any provocative acts, including military exercises, and clarify their stances to achieve a peaceful settlement of the problem.

Japanese government’s response as a neighbor of demanding that North Korea should stop nuclear tests and missile launches is not enough. Japan must support the efforts of resolving the issue through negotiations based on the Constitution of Japan, the U.N. Charter and the resolutions of the Security Council and urge the U.S. and North Korea to hold a dialogue.

Coming September 20, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will be open for signatures, demonstrating that the major trend of the world is moving towards a total ban on nuclear weapons. The effort to press for this direction is more necessary in this East Asian region than anywhere else. We reiterate our call on North Korea, Japan and all other parties concerned to clearly shift their directions from the dependence on nuclear deterrence to the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons.