Japan Gensuikyo submits signatures calling for nuclear weapons abolition talks

A delegation of the Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo) in New York submitted Japanese people's signatures in support of a Gensuikyo letter to the United Nations and national governments asking them to begin international talks for eliminating nuclear weapons.

The three-member delegation arrived in New York on April 8 to attend the 1st Preparatory Committee meeting of the 2005 NPT Review Conference at UN headquarters.

At the preparatory committee office, the delegation met with the committee chair, Henrik Salander (Swedish ambassador for disarmament). It also presented Salander with a statement of the Japan Confederation of A & H Bombs Sufferers Organizations (Hidankyo) and its photo pamphlet "HIBAKUSHA" (A-bomb survivors).

Chair Salander commended the Japanese movement against A & H bombs and expressed hope that NGOs and governments further increase their efforts. Thanking him for the Swedish Prime Minister's message to the last year's world conference, the delegation invited him to attend the 2002 World Conference against A & H Bombs. (end)