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

Influence of grassroots anti-nuclear movement is critically important
Akahata editorial (excerpts)

The 2006 World Conference against A and H Bombs under the theme of "A Nuclear Weapon-Free, Peaceful and Just World" ended on August 9, the 61st anniversary of the A-bombing of Nagasaki, after adopting a letter (Conference Resolution) to the United Nations and its member states calling for a swift start of negotiations aimed at concluding a treaty totally banning nuclear weapons.

U.S. nuclear policy comes under fire

This year's World Conference was held at a time when the U.S. Bush administration is pushing ahead with a nuclear policy that includes the possible first use of nuclear weapons and new nuclear weapons development ostensibly to "prevent terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction" while refusing to discuss the abolition of nuclear weapons in the arena of international politics.

In this context, a focus of international attention was on the strategy the Conference would come up with as a forum for discussion and cooperation between the world's anti-nuclear peace movements and governments promoting the abolition of nuclear weapons.

This year's World Conference was attended by a deputy assistant minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt,Å@an undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, the director general in charge of the U.N. System of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, the charg_ d'affaires of Cuba to Japan, and the special advisor on disarmament and strategic affairs of the League of Arab States. It received messages from six governments, including the prime minister of New Zealand, the president of Vietnam, and the Canadian ambassador to Japan.

At the World Conference, many participants criticized the U.S. Bush administration for not ruling out the possible use of military force to prevent nuclear "proliferation." Participating foreign government representatives emphasized the need to immediately work on nuclear disarmament and abolition of nuclear weapons in order to solve the problem of nuclear war facing the world today, and confirmed the common goal of "swiftly abolishing nuclear weapons." Heart-to-heart exchanges between government representatives and anti-nuclear activists seeking to increase cooperation was one of the characteristic features of the 2006 World Conference, as reflected in such remarks as "Diplomacy can display its power only when it is supported by the public," and "The U.N. Charter is the common ground between diplomacy and social movements."

As the main demand of the movement, the 2006 World Conference called on "all national governments to adopt a resolution for an international convention totally banning nuclear weapons at the U.S. General Assembly," and to this end, it called on participants to "develop the signature campaign in support of the 'Swift Abolition of Nuclear Weapons' that will link grassroots movements with the U.N." (Declaration of the International Meeting).

Overseas anti-nuclear organizations have expressed full support for the international signature campaign, "For the Swift Abolition of Nuclear Weapons," conducted throughout Japan since it was called for late last year by the Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo) demanding that the United Nations promptly launch consultations aimed at a total ban on nuclear weapons. The campaign has been supported by many government representatives. Such development of the campaign brought about cooperation between governments and movements and this was reflected in this year's World Conference.

Solidarity with various movements

The 2006 World Conference also called for efforts to "increase public support for the movement calling for a total ban and elimination of nuclear weapons" in solidarity with all peace movements, including those opposing war and military bases, and demanding redirecting military spending to meet social need (Declaration of the International Meeting). The Japanese movement has a greater role than ever to play in their efforts to collect signatures for the abolition of nuclear weapons while promoting the struggles to defend Article 9 of the Constitution and oppose the U.S. military "realignment" in Japan.

The Hiroshima Hibakusha's victory in court and participation of young people who are willing to carry on Hibakusha's message greatly encouraged the 2006 World Conference participants. It is necessary to take the anti-nuclear opinion in Japan and abroad to the 61st Session of the U.N. General Assembly this coming autumn.
- Akahata, August 10, 2006