August 3, 2021

The International Meeting of the 2021 World Conference against A and H Bombs, the first major antinuke event since the UN treaty banning nuclear weapons came into force, took place online on August 2.

Delivering a speech on behalf of the organizers, co-representative of the World Conference against A and H Bombs Steering Committee Noguchi Kunikazu stressed the need to push nuclear weapons states to fulfill their longstanding commitment to eliminate nuclear weapons. He also appealed for the need to further develop grass-roots movements throughout the world.

The Secretary General of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bombs Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), Kido Sueichi, said that with continued support from civil society at home and abroad, Hidankyo is commemorating its 65th anniversary since its founding. He called on participants in the virtual meeting to increase efforts to prevent nuclear weapons from ever being used again.

Makino Kazumi, who co-heads a civil group supporting a court battle representing victims of so-called “black rain” that fell after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, reported that on this day, the plaintiffs finally obtained Hibakusha certificates and health books. He expressed his determination to continue working hard with the aim of enabling all “black rain” victims, estimated at 13,000, to obtain Hibakusha certificates and health books.

In the first session, peace group representatives from the nuclear armed countries of the U.S., Britain, and Russia as well as from the nuclear umbrella countries of Belgium and Japan talked about their activities. They made remarks such as: “The twin issues of nuclear weapons and climate change have reached an urgent crisis stage. We must act now!” and “Using the antinuke UN treaty as leverage, let’s work to strengthen public opinion and movements and create governments willing to join the treaty.”

In the second session, peace activists from the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and India reported on their activities under the theme, “Abolition of nuclear weapons in Asia under the intensified tensions between the U.S. and China”. Activists’ remarks made in their report include: “Japan’s participation in the UN treaty will contribute to creating a peaceful and safe Asia,” “Let’s oppose any move to pose a threat to peace in the U.S. and China,” and “Let’s increase efforts to realize a denuclearized Korean Peninsula and set up a nuclear-weapons-free-zone in East Asia!”