August 6, 2025
Japanese Communist Party Central Committee Chair Shii Kazuo took part in the “International solidarity among parliamentarians and citizens” Forum II held on August 5 in Hiroshima City as part of the 2025 World Conference against A and H Bombs events.
At a time when the world is standing at a “war-or-peace” crossroads, Shii stated that the international community should unite in addressing the following four vital challenges common to all nations:
- Eliminating nuclear weapons by promoting the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW);
- Building an order for peace based on the UN Charter;
- Opposing major arms buildups and creating a true peace through diplomacy; and
- Standing against extreme rightists and xenophobia.
Shii noted that, despite the ongoing nuclear arms race, the TPNW is gaining momentum. He called on citizens worldwide to work even harder to have the world break away from the concept of “nuclear deterrence” and to increase the movement to have non-TPNW signatories join the treaty.
Jeremy Corbyn, former leader of the British Labour Party and vice-chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), criticized the fact that such huge amounts of money are spent on nuclear weapons in the world, flowing into the global military industry. He stated that it is our responsibility to listen to the experiences of all nuclear victims, including A-bomb survivors, and to eliminate all nuclear weapons in order to achieve a sustainable peace.
Marc Botenga of the Workers’ Party of Belgium, member of the European Parliament, said that U.S. President Trump is demanding that NATO countries use 5% of their GDP on military spending, and pointed out that that would destroy their societies. He stressed the need to prevent the militarization of the world.
Martin Schirdewan of Germany’s Left Party (Die Linke), co-chair of the Left in the European Parliament, criticized the German government for ignoring the voices of two out of three Germans who want Germany to join the TPNW. “The tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are a warning for not only the present but also the future,” he said.
Ann Wright of the Veterans for Peace, USA, said that two members of the U.S. House of Common submitted a resolution to Congress, calling on the U.S. government to take a lead in reducing and eventually abolishing nuclear weapons worldwide.
* * *
Forum I ‘Dialogue between governments and citizens for a nuclear weapon-free, peaceful and just world’
Thomas Hajnoczi, former ambassador of Austria, pointed out that at issue is “human security,” not state security.
Mohamed Ezzeldine Abdel-Moneim, former assistant minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, stated that the NPT is transitional and must lead to the full implementation of the TPNW.
Cuban Ambassador to Japan Gisela Garcia said she will continue to support global efforts to universalize the TPNW.
Joseph Gerson, president of Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security, USA, called for major global actions toward next year’s NPT and TPNW review conferences.
Tsuchida Yayoi, assistant general secretary of the Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo), proposed holding a joint international action in New York at next year’s NPT Review Conference.
At a time when the world is standing at a “war-or-peace” crossroads, Shii stated that the international community should unite in addressing the following four vital challenges common to all nations:
- Eliminating nuclear weapons by promoting the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW);
- Building an order for peace based on the UN Charter;
- Opposing major arms buildups and creating a true peace through diplomacy; and
- Standing against extreme rightists and xenophobia.
Shii noted that, despite the ongoing nuclear arms race, the TPNW is gaining momentum. He called on citizens worldwide to work even harder to have the world break away from the concept of “nuclear deterrence” and to increase the movement to have non-TPNW signatories join the treaty.
Jeremy Corbyn, former leader of the British Labour Party and vice-chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), criticized the fact that such huge amounts of money are spent on nuclear weapons in the world, flowing into the global military industry. He stated that it is our responsibility to listen to the experiences of all nuclear victims, including A-bomb survivors, and to eliminate all nuclear weapons in order to achieve a sustainable peace.
Marc Botenga of the Workers’ Party of Belgium, member of the European Parliament, said that U.S. President Trump is demanding that NATO countries use 5% of their GDP on military spending, and pointed out that that would destroy their societies. He stressed the need to prevent the militarization of the world.
Martin Schirdewan of Germany’s Left Party (Die Linke), co-chair of the Left in the European Parliament, criticized the German government for ignoring the voices of two out of three Germans who want Germany to join the TPNW. “The tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are a warning for not only the present but also the future,” he said.
Ann Wright of the Veterans for Peace, USA, said that two members of the U.S. House of Common submitted a resolution to Congress, calling on the U.S. government to take a lead in reducing and eventually abolishing nuclear weapons worldwide.
* * *
Forum I ‘Dialogue between governments and citizens for a nuclear weapon-free, peaceful and just world’
Thomas Hajnoczi, former ambassador of Austria, pointed out that at issue is “human security,” not state security.
Mohamed Ezzeldine Abdel-Moneim, former assistant minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, stated that the NPT is transitional and must lead to the full implementation of the TPNW.
Cuban Ambassador to Japan Gisela Garcia said she will continue to support global efforts to universalize the TPNW.
Joseph Gerson, president of Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security, USA, called for major global actions toward next year’s NPT and TPNW review conferences.
Tsuchida Yayoi, assistant general secretary of the Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo), proposed holding a joint international action in New York at next year’s NPT Review Conference.
