Japan Press Weekly

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2022 August 10 - 16 [PEACE]

2022 World Conference Nagasaki Day Rally calls for advancing TPNW and antinuke movement

In the 2022 World Conference against A and H Bombs Nagasaki Day Rally held on August 9 in Nagasaki City, Japanese and overseas delegates expressed their determination to work even harder to advance the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and the anti-nuclear-weapons movement.

Mexican Ambassador to Japan Melba Pria in her speech delivered on behalf of her government said that as one of the first countries to sign and ratify the TPNW, Mexico intends to work with the international community constructively in order to increase the number of countries that will ratify the TPNW. She also expressed her hope for an early ratification of the treaty by Japan.

Representatives of peace organizations in the U.S., the Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam, and Belgium gave speeches.

Representing the Philippines organization, Nuclear-Free Philippines Coalition/Stop the War Coalition, Corazon Fabros pointed out that in order to develop a movement for the abolition of nuclear weapons, it is important to make tenacious efforts to build up the unity, cooperation, and solidarity among people beyond differences in ideology. She went on to point out that it is also important for the younger generation and women in particular to take a lead in this movement.

From South Korea, Lee Gieun of the Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea (SPARK) emphasized the importance of the participation in the TPNW of the Japanese and South Korean governments by terminating their military alliances with the United States.

Deputy Director General of the Multilateral Affairs Department of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Thi Thu Hien said that the important thing is to apply pressure on nuclear powers and their allies in order to have them join the TPNW, settle any conflict in a peaceful manner, and respect the UN Charter and international law.

After a rally program in which Hibakusha talked about their firsthand experiences and called for the abolition of nuclear weapons, and representatives of various Japanese peace movements appeared on the stage to deliver speeches. Among them was Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Representatives Kasai Akira who attended the NPT Review Conference in NYC as a civil society member. He talked about his impression in regard to the Conference.

Kasai stressed that the TPNW was a major topic in nuclear disarmament discussions at the Conference. He added that regarding Prime Minister Kishida’s address which mentioned nothing about the TPNW and the NPT’s Article 6, he heard many diplomats indicating their disappointment in and frustration with the speech.