August 5, 2026

The opening plenary of the 2026 World Conference against A and H Bombs - Hiroshima took place on August 4 in Hiroshima City with 2,700 people, including Hibakusha, a government representative, and Japanese and overseas delegates, participating. It was live-streamed on the internet.

Mimaki Toshiyuki, a co-chair of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), delivered a speech on behalf of Hibakusha. He said “Wars are started by governments, and it is the people who suffer the consequences. Let us continue to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting peace.”

Representing the Austrian government, Anton Wein-Wislocki, Counsellor/ Head of Unit for Nuclear Weapons, IAEA, CTBTO and NPT, Department for Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms-Control, Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, delivered a speech. He referred to attempts to construct sustainable security based on nuclear weapons and “nuclear deterrence” and stated that such attempts are unacceptable. He called on all countries to join the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Tamura Tomoko appeared in a special program titled, “Dialogue between citizens and lawmakers”. After responding to questions from the floor, Tamura expressed her determination, saying, “As the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings in war, Japan should stand on the position that nuclear weapons can never contribute to security and take the lead in diplomacy toward eliminating wars and those weapons. This cannot be achieved under the Takaichi government. I’ll work hard to broaden collaboration with citizens to change policies.”

A message from Hiroshima City Mayor Matsui Kazumi was read out.