Japan Press Weekly

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2013 July 31 - August 13 [ANTI-N-ARMS]

2013 World Conference held in Hiroshima amid increasing global attention to inhumanity of nuclear weapons

The 2013 World Conference against A and H Bombs took place on August 6 in Hiroshima City amid the increasing global attention to the inhumanity of nuclear weapons with 2,200 people in attendance.

The World Conference adopted the “Appeal from Hiroshima” that calls for opening a door to a world without nuclear weapons jointly with Hibakusha and the energy of youth.

The appeal also emphasized the need to create a massive surge of public opinion seeking a nuclear-free world in preparation for the next NPT review conference to be held in 2015, the 70th anniversary of the A-bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

American film director Oliver Stone attended the conference as one of the guest speakers.

Together with Peter Kuzunik, American University professor and co-scenario writer of Stone’s documentary film, “the Untold History of the United States”, this well-known film director appeared on the stage and responded to questions posed by Hibakusha and a young peace activist.

While on stage, asked about his impression about a meeting with Hibakusha during his stay, Stone referred to Hibakusha as precious war witnesses. He went on to say that many A-bomb survivors shoulder the responsibility to pass on their stories to the younger generation and get them to memorize the stories. They are the people with much love to give and the ideal of making the world better for everyone, he added.

In conclusion, Stone called on participants to “stand up and fight together”.

A message from U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was read out by the organizing committee.