Hibakusha to bring actions toward 60th A-bombing anniversary

The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bombs Sufferers Organizations (Japan Hidankyo) held its 49th general meeting on June 8 and 9 in Tokyo and confirmed that it will join together with a wide range of organizations and individuals to create a big wave of the anti-nuclear movement aiming toward 2005, the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Secretary General Tanaka Terumi stressed the importance of joining forces to abolish nuclear weapons and achieve state compensations for A-bomb survivors (Hibakusha).

Tanaka proposed four specific efforts to focus on: the "No more Hiroshima Nagasaki International Citizens' Conference" in July, 2005; a series of events abroad to help people learn about A-bomb damages, including an "A-bomb photo exhibition" at the United Nations; and activities to increase public support for Hibakusha's concerted lawsuits demanding state recognition of Hibakusha with illnesses caused by the A-bombing as well as to tell Hibakusha's stories to young people to create young "story tellers".

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo sent a message to the meeting, encouraging Hibakusha's concerted legal actions and expressing his determination to strive for the nuclear weapon abolition jointly with Hibakusha. (end)