Mahathir supports 'Nuclear-Free World' campaign

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Mahathir supports 'Nuclear-Free World' campaign

Representatives of the Japan Council against A & H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo) and the Japan Confederation of the A & H Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) visited Kuala Lumpur and met with former Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad on January 14 and received his signature in support of the ongoing campaign "For a Nuclear-Free World".

Gensuikyo Secretary General Taka Hiroshi expressed appreciation for the Malaysian government's great help in holding an A-bomb photo exhibition in Malaysia. Taka also thanked Mahathir for sending his message of solidarity along with a government representative to the World Conference against A & H Bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki while he was prime minister.

Taka explained that the Japanese anti-nuclear movement is now focusing on strengthening the signature campaign and raising public awareness of the devastation and after-effects of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in order to make anti-nuclear calls heard throughout the world before the 2010 NPT Review Conference.

Tanaka Terumi, Hidankyo secretary general, said that Hibakusha (A-bomb survivors) have unceasingly been talking about their experiences in order to have nuclear weapons abolished, and that they have been encouraged by the Malaysian government's anti-nuclear activities at the United Nations.

Welcoming the Japanese delegation, the former Malaysian prime minister stressed that it is important, particularly for Japan as the only A-bombed nation, to continue to strive to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons. He said that he wants to support the international signature drive through his NGO.

Mahathir also stressed the importance of banning wars as well as nuclear weapons, and encouraged the Japanese movement to defend the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution.

He showed keen a interest in the delegation's invitation to attend the World Conference.

The six-day A-bomb photo exhibition opened on January 13 at the International Islamic University of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. By January 14, it had collected more than 1,400 anti-nuclear signatures.

- Akahata, January 15 & 16, 2009