May 24, 2025

The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), following the collapse of the NPT Review Conference held at the UN Headquarters in NYC, expressed disappointment at an online press conference on May 23.

Hamasumi Jiro, Nihon Hidankyo secretary general, said, “It is deeply regrettable that no agreement was reached, especially given that the chairperson had prepared thoroughly and engaged in extensive negotiations. We absolutely must change the security framework that relies on nuclear deterrence, including on nuclear weapons.”

Recognizing the collaboration of global civil society at the conference, he said, “These horizontal connections are highly valued. They should be expanded in order to spread the message worldwide that nuclear weapons and humanity cannot coexist.”

The secretary general of the Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo), Yasui Masakazu, also issued a statement.

Yasui stated that nuclear-weapon states are responsible for the failure to adopt the final document, criticizing them for shelving the implementation of Article 6 of the NPT. He also denounced the United States for focusing solely on criticizing Iran.

Describing the “nuclear deterrence” logic which was openly discussed at the conference as the greatest obstacle to eliminating nuclear weapons, Yasui emphasized the need for the international community to overcome such outdated logic.

Given Japan’s failure to fulfill its role as the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings in war, he pointed out that the role of civil society is critically important, particularly in nuclear-weapon states as well as in countries dependent on nuclear deterrence.