Japan Press Weekly

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2010 August 4 - 10 [ANTI-N-ARMS]

Declaration of the International Meeting ; the 2010 World Conference against A & H Bombs

Sixty-five years ago, two bombs dropped by the US forces instantly ruined Hiroshima and Nagasaki and claimed the lives of over 200,000 people. Their after-effects are still tormenting the Hibakusha, the surviving victims, in their minds and bodies. The Hibakusha, beyond their agonies, have kept warning that the use of nuclear weapons is a crime against humanity, and have appealed for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Their voices have now developed into an unshakable worldwide movement.
We appeal to the people around the world to take action in solidarity with the Hibakusha of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to attain a world without nuclear weapons.

Public opinion and anti-nuclear peace movements are bringing changes in international politics. And wide-ranging sectors of people, including senior political and military figures, are voicing their support to the abolition of nuclear weapons.
Marking a historic turn for the abolition of nuclear weapons with the 2010 NPT Review Conference, we developed international actions demanding the start of negotiations on a convention to totally ban nuclear weapons.
The Final Document agreed upon by the Review Conference reaffirmed the “unequivocal undertaking” on the elimination of nuclear weapons, which the nuclear weapons states accepted in 2000, and resolved to achieve “peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.” It urged all nuclear and non-nuclear weapons states to make “special efforts to establish the necessary framework” to reach this goal, noting the proposal of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the start of negotiations of a nuclear weapons convention. It was also agreed upon that a conference on establishing a nuclear weapon-free zone in the Middle East, a core of international tension, be convened in 2012, with all parties in the region invited.
Given that “a world without nuclear weapons” is now an established goal of international politics, what is needed next are concrete actions to attain the objective. We call for negotiations and early conclusion of a nuclear weapons convention for a total ban on nuclear weapons. We propose to plan and develop actions everywhere in the world to demand the start of negotiations without delay. Focusing on the session of the UN General Assembly, let us rally public support internationally.
The ratification and the entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), the start of negotiations of the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty, the entry into force of the new START between Russia and the US and deeper reduction in their nuclear arsenals, and a ban on use or threat of use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapons states should also be achieved without any further delay.

In the Review Conference, it was deeply disappointing that nuclear powers forced the removal from the Final Document of wording which would have established a road map of the elimination of nuclear weapons, the start of negotiations itself, and establishing a timeline for the implementation of total nuclear disarmament. Underlying this was the “nuclear deterrence” doctrine and the belief that they could ensure their influence by means of nuclear blackmail. By giving ground for justification of nuclear weapons, this attitude induces possession of nuclear weapons by others, thus encouraging further proliferation of nuclear weapons. The “nuclear deterrence” doctrine is a major obstacle to creating a “nuclear weapon-free world”.
To root out the danger of nuclear weapons, the only possible way is to achieve “peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons”, breaking away from the notion of “security by nuclear weapons”. We must develop a full-fledged movement and build public opinion to force the nuclear weapons states and their allies who have opted for “nuclear umbrellas” to overcome the nuclear deterrence doctrine. In each of our countries, let us develop our actions involving broader sectors of society, support each other’s efforts and defeat the “nuclear deterrence” doctrine by building massive public pressure.
We demand the renunciation of the doctrine of the first use of nuclear weapons, and further a ban on use of nuclear weapons. We oppose the build-up and modernization of the nuclear arsenals, as well as the Missile Defense programs, which are designed to reinforce preparations for first strike. We further demand the withdrawal of nuclear weapons from foreign territories or from high seas. We support the creation and expansion of nuclear weapon-free zone in the Middle East and in other areas. The problem of North Korea’s nuclear development should be resolved by peaceful means through dialogue, including the six party talks on the de-nuclearization of Korean Peninsula.

Japan’s dependence on the U.S. “nuclear umbrella” is a serious obstacle to peace and security in Asia and for achieving a “nuclear weapon-free world”. We express solidarity to the movement in Japan in its effort to make Japan nuclear weapon-free by defending Article 9 of the Constitution, repealing the “secret agreements” with the U.S. on the bringing-in of US nuclear weapons into Japan’s territory, and by strict implementation of the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles”. We also stand in solidarity with the movement opposing the realignment and consolidation of the US bases at Futenma, Okinawa and other places in Japan, and demanding their withdrawal.
We oppose war, aggression, or the threat or use of force. We oppose occupation of Iraq and military operations in Afghanistan. We call for the respect for national sovereignty and the withdrawal of all foreign troops. We stand in solidarity with Palestinian people for their national rights. We extend our solidarity to all movements that oppose foreign military bases and demand their removal. We refuse military alliances that presuppose potential enemies, such as NATO and Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, and support a new world order of peace based on the U.N. Charter.

It is no longer the time when a handful of big powers can rule the world. We are at the threshold of a new world where all countries respect international law, play their roles equally, and are supported by active contribution of the society. The movements waged by citizens -- against war and for peace; for the relief of victims of war, including those of Agent Orange; for protection of global environment; for the rights and status of women; for overcoming hunger, poverty and unemployment and for drastic reduction of military spending to fund these essential human needs -- are playing vital roles in creating a new world. Let us join hands with these movements, with the U.N. and with national and local governments in creating a “nuclear weapon-free world.”
On this 65th year of the atomic bombing, we call for increased support to the Hibakusha of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and nuclear victims of the world. Let us inherit and carry forward the experiences and struggles of the Hibakusha as the “undertaking of humanity.” Let us rise in action now with the Hibakusha and with young generation of people who bear the future of humanity.

Akahata, August 5, 2010