Unions, A-bomb survivors protest against U.S. nuclear test and retaliatory war

The U.S. subcritical nuclear weapons test "Oboe 8" on September 26 (early
morning of Sep. 27 Japan Time) has caused a storm of protests in Japan.

Many are deeply concerned about reports that nuclear weapons might be
used in the planned U.S. war on terrorism.

Ito Iccho, mayor of atom-bombed Nagasaki City on September 27 expressed
deep concern about the U.S. subcritical test being conducted at a time when
the Bush administration is flexing its muscles in preparation for its war on
terrorism.

The Japan Peace Committee sent a letter of protest to U.S. President
George W. Bush. It said that the U.S. reneged on the promise all countries
made in New York in 2000 to work for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) in a letter of
protest to U.S. President Bush pointed out that the U.S. is trying to gut
the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

The National Federation of Traders and Producers Organizations
(Zenshoren) also sent a similar letter to the U.S. president.

The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) sent a letter to President
Bush requesting that nuclear tests be ended.

A-bomb survivors in tears call for prevention of war

Survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki converged on
the U.S. embassy in Tokyo on September 28 to protest against the U.S.
subcritical nuclear test "Oboe 8" and call on the U.S. government to give up
its plan to wage war that will cost the lives of innocent people.

Hattori Michiko, a woman Hibakusha from Saitama, in tears said, "A war
for vengeance as planned by the United States will certainly put many
innocent people in a hell." She went on to say that war that will lead to
the use of nuclear weapons must not be condoned."

The protest was organized by the Japanese Confederation of Atomic and
Hydrogen Bomb Victims Organizations (Hidankyo). (end)