Peace marches start

The 2001 Peace March calling for a nuclear weapons-free 21st century has started its three-month journey to Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The Peace March is conducted on 11 courses to cover all 47 prefectures. Local marches will take place in each prefecture to call on residents for efforts to get nuclear weapons abolished.

In Tokyo on May 6, a 1,000-kilometer march bound for Hiroshima started after a ceremony attended by about 700 people from trade unions, youth groups, and the Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo).

Speaking on behalf of the organizing committee of the Peace March, Kawai Tomoyasu, referred to the "unequivocal undertaking" made last year by 187 countries, including the nuclear weapons possessing countries, and called on the Tokyo peace marchers to push the undertaking into practice.

The peace marchers will gather in Hiroshima on August 4 and Nagasaki on August 6 to attend the 2001 World Conference against A and H Bombs. (end)