Anti-nuclear signature campaign held by Nagasaki pensioners

Nine months ago, an international signature campaign "Abolish Nuclear Weapons Now!" was launched by the 2003 World Conference against A & H Bombs.

The initiative was aimed at increasing public awareness of the urgent need to abolish nuclear weapons now that the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 2005 is approaching.

Akahata on May 10 reported on the peace activities carried out by pensioners, mostly in their 70s and 80s, in the A-bombed city of Nagasaki.

"Please sign the petition calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons." The call resounds through Urakami Hill and the Peace Park, the hypocenter where the Peace Statue is located, 5 or 6 days a month.

The signature campaign is carried out in these places by members of the Nagasaki Pensioners' Union who voluntarily established the 6th and 9th Day Action Branch. About 10 people take part in this activity on the mornings of the 6th, 9th, 16th, 19th, 26th, and 29th of every month.

The 6th and 9th Day Action is conducted throughout the country to remember the A-bombing on Hiroshima on August 6th and on Nagasaki on 9th in 1945.

In the past 8 months, the Nagasaki pensioners have collected more than 13,000 signatures.

Aware that although the world's call for the abolition of nuclear weapons has prevented them from being used, the danger of them being used is increasing, so the group members have encouraged each other to continue this action.

Something to live for

The eldest member, Tsubakiyama Harushi (85 years old) tells stories of Hibakusha using photo panels. When he explained a photo that shows many Hibakusha being brought into an aid station for medical treatment, a man thanked him, saying, "This nurse taking care of Hibakusha is my wife. She's still doing fine."

With his Nagasaki accent, 76-year-old Fukunaga Haruji stressed, "We must eliminate nuclear weapons." At the age of 16, he was exposed to radiation at Mitsubishi's munition factory which was 1.1 km away from the hypocenter and got a deep cut in his right knee. He still finds it painful sometimes, and remembers people screaming for water while the Urakami River filled with unrecognizable burnt bodies. "As long as I live, I must carry out this action." He made a little smile and said, "This is something worth living for."

Tomizawa Norio, 78, said, "I make it a rule to take part in the action to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons on the 6th and 9th days."

He was taught to lay down his life for the Emperor, but consequently he had to face Japan's defeat following the A-bombing of Nagasaki. He, then, believed peace would come, but soon realized that nuclear arsenals continued expanding. "I got angry and thought that something needs to be done," said Tomizawa. He now participates in every 6th and 9th day action.

On sunny May 6, 78-year-old Matsuya Yukiko and 77-year-old Matsuya Takashi, together with four other members showed up in the park before the arrival of tourists. They quickly set up portable tables and put the petition form and photo panels of A-bomb tragedy on the tables.

Some signers wanted to take a photo together with the banner that read "For the abolition of nuclear weapons" and some offered donations to their activity.

Second-generation Japanese-Brazilian Iwasa Teresa, 60, ran up to the tables and signed her name in support of the nuclear weapon abolition, saying, "Although Japan claims not to maintain troops, why did Mr. Koizumi send the Self-Defense Forces to Iraq? I think it's wrong."

Strong anxiety

The age of the members working on the signature-collecting campaign is 77 on average. Even on hot summer days or cold windy days, no one gives up carrying out the action except on rainy days.

Rather than their health, they worry about a possible use of atomic bombs again by the U.S. administration that is supported by Japan.

They say in chorus, "This is an international signature campaign. We, citizens of the A-bombed city, must work hard to collect signatures." They take part in the action with pride.

Katayama Akiyoshi of the Nagasaki Prefectural Council against A & H Bombs (Gensuikyo) said that he admires the 6 & 9 Action that is held regularly by these pensioners and hopes their activity will encourage the growth of similar activities in other parts of Japan. Katayama determined to gain a majority of Nagasaki city citizens to sign for the nuclear abolition and support Nagasaki City Mayor Itoh Iccho, the first signer of the international signature campaign in Japan. (end)